Chapter 3 - What Renee Showed MeDenise lived about twenty minutes away in Evanston. Renee was awake when we got there, sitting on the living room sofa in sweatpants and one of Denise's old college sweatshirts. Her lower lip was bruised. Dark finger-shaped marks circled her left wrist.
Caleb climbed straight into her lap.
She looked at me and started crying. "Dad, I'm sorry."
I crossed the room and hugged her. "No. I'm sorry."
She buried her face against my shoulder. "I thought you wouldn't believe me."
"I should've listened sooner."
She handed me her phone — photographs of documents, emails Vanessa had sent to a loan broker, screenshots of messages with a man named Roland Faust. One message from Vanessa read: Wedding Saturday. Documents Monday. Once his assets are combined, we move forward.
Roland had answered: Don't rush him. A suspicious signature creates problems.
"Who is Roland?" I asked.
"I think he's helping her with the paperwork."
Walter leaned in. "Forward all of this to me."
My phone started ringing. Vanessa. Again. Then again. Finally a text: WHERE ARE YOU? Then: Everyone is waiting. Then: If Renee has said something, she's lying.
I stared at the screen. I'd never told Vanessa I was with Renee.
Walter noticed too. "So she knows."
Renee whispered, "She probably figured out Caleb gave you the drive."
I typed four words: The wedding is canceled.
Vanessa called instantly. I declined. Thirty seconds later: You have no idea what you just did.
May you like
Walter read it over my shoulder. "Save that."
I did.
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