Chapter 5
Sarah’s breath caught in her throat. She handed her own phone to Emma and quickly knelt, scooping up the small, glittery purse from the marble floor. She pulled out the black smartphone. It was unmistakable. It was Daniel’s personal work phone, the one the police claimed had been destroyed in the fiery car crash.
"How did you get this, Emma?" Sarah whispered, her eyes wide as she examined the pristine device.
"Daddy gave it to me," Emma whispered back, her blue eyes brimming with tears. "Before he went to work on Tuesday. He said it was a secret game. He said I had to keep it in my purse and not tell Grandma."
Sarah felt a chill race down her spine that had nothing to do with the air conditioning. Tuesday. The day before the crash. Daniel had known something was going to happen.
The screen of Daniel’s phone was locked, but a notification bubble floated brightly on the center of the display. It was a timed video message, scheduled to alert the device precisely at the hour the funeral was set to begin.
With trembling fingers, Sarah swiped the screen. She knew his passcode—the date of their anniversary. The phone unlocked instantly.
She tapped the video file.
The bright, vivid colors of the screen illuminated Sarah’s face. Daniel appeared on the display. He was sitting in a dimly lit room, wearing a simple button-down shirt. He looked exhausted, his fair skin pale, dark circles bruising the delicate skin under his eyes.
"Sarah," Daniel’s voice spoke softly from the phone's speaker. Sarah quickly turned the volume down, holding the phone close to her ear so the others couldn't hear.
"If you are watching this, it means the contingency plan was triggered," Daniel said, his voice tight with suppressed fear. "It means they tried to kill me, and they think they succeeded."
Sarah squeezed her eyes shut, a silent sob wracking her chest. He was alive.
"Listen to me very carefully," Daniel's video continued. "My parents... Charles and Margaret... they aren't who you think they are. The family trust, the investments—it's all a front. I found the real ledgers, Sarah. They’ve been laundering money for a cartel out of Miami for a decade. They found out I was going to the FBI."
Sarah’s eyes snapped open. She looked across the bright, sunlit room. Charles and Margaret were currently arguing vehemently with the police officer, who was trying to keep them away from the old man now sitting up in the coffin.
"Ryan is in on it too," Daniel's recorded voice warned. "Do not trust him. The man in the coffin is Arthur Pendelton, the cartel's primary accountant. My parents kidnapped him to use as a scapegoat. They planned to bury him alive in my place, effectively destroying the only witness who could testify against them."
Sarah’s stomach churned violently. She looked at the old man, Arthur, who was rubbing his chafed wrists as the officer questioned him.
"You have to get out of there, Sarah," Daniel pleaded from the screen, his eyes burning with desperate love. "Take Emma and run. Don't go to our house. Go to the safe deposit box at the downtown branch. The key is taped to the back of this phone. I will find you. I love you both so much."
The video ended.
Sarah turned the phone over. There, secured by a piece of clear tape, was a small brass key.
"Excuse me, Sarah?"
May you like
Sarah jumped, quickly dropping the phone back into Emma’s purse. She turned around to find Ryan Vance standing right behind her, his eyes cold and devoid of any brotherly affection.
"What were you just watching?" Ryan asked, stepping closer, blocking the aisle.
