Chapter 11: Rebecca’s Bargain
The district attorney added witness intimidation and conspiracy charges against Rebecca.
Still, there was not enough evidence to charge her with murder.
A threat proved hostility.
It did not prove that she caused the brake failure or intentionally placed Anna in the SUV.
Rebecca requested a meeting.
Her attorney said she had information about Anna’s death and would speak only if I attended.
Nora objected.
“You are not an investigator.”
“She wants me there.”
“That is exactly why you should not go.”
Detective Torres believed the meeting might pressure Rebecca into revealing details.
We compromised.
I attended behind one-way glass while Torres and the prosecutor questioned her.
Rebecca entered wearing county jail clothing.
She looked smaller than I remembered.
Her attorney placed a folder on the table.
“My client is prepared to provide evidence regarding Linda Carter’s actions on the night of Anna Carter’s death.”
“In exchange for what?” the prosecutor asked.
“A reduced sentencing recommendation on the financial charges.”
“No agreement exists at this time.”
Rebecca looked toward the mirror.
She knew I was behind it.
“Ethan needs to hear this.”
Detective Torres remained expressionless.
“Start talking.”
Rebecca folded her hands.
“Mom knew Anna was going to report us.”
“Us?”
“My company had borrowed money from the trust.”
“You forged Ethan’s signature.”
Rebecca looked down.
“Mom arranged the paperwork.”
“Did Linda deliberately send Anna away in an unsafe vehicle?”
“Yes.”
The word landed like a stone.
“How do you know?”
“I heard her tell Dad that one problem could solve another.”
“When?”
“The afternoon of the accident.”
“What problem?”
“Anna.”
“Did Linda damage the vehicle?”
“No.”
“Did you?”
“No.”
“Did anyone?”
“The brakes were already failing.”
“So Linda used an existing mechanical problem.”
Rebecca nodded.
“She made sure Anna’s car wouldn’t start.”
My hands gripped the edge of the table behind the glass.
“How?” Torres asked.
“She disconnected the battery cable.”
“Did you see her?”
“No.”
“Then how do you know?”
“She told me afterward.”
Rebecca’s attorney touched her arm, but she continued.
“Mom said she only wanted Anna frightened. She said the brakes might force her to turn around.”
“Yet she allowed Anna to drive into heavy rain.”
“She said Anna was dramatic and would stop if it felt dangerous.”
“Why did Linda delete the voicemail?”
“Because Anna mentioned the brakes.”
Detective Torres leaned forward.
“You participated in destroying evidence.”
Rebecca’s attorney interrupted.
“My client is offering information under proffer conditions.”
“No agreement was made,” the prosecutor said.
Rebecca looked toward the mirror again.
“Ethan, Mom is lying to everyone.”
I could not stop myself.
I opened the door and entered.
Nora cursed behind me.
Rebecca’s face crumpled for half a second.
Then the familiar mask returned.
“You knew the brakes were bad,” I said.
“I knew they needed repair.”
“You called the mechanic after Anna died.”
“Mom told me to.”
“You threatened Anna.”
“I was angry.”
“You said she wouldn’t make it to the appointment.”
“I didn’t mean she would die.”
“What did you mean?”
“That we would stop her legally.”
“How?”
Rebecca did not answer.
“You photographed Lily,” I said. “You prepared guardianship papers before Anna died. You collected my medical records.”
“We needed protection.”
“From the woman whose money you stole?”
Rebecca’s eyes filled.
“I was going to repay it.”
“With what?”
“My business was about to recover.”
“You bought jewelry.”
“I had to maintain appearances for investors.”
“You hurt Lily because she found the box.”
“I panicked.”
“You slapped a five-year-old.”
“She was screaming.”
“Because you were hurting her.”
Rebecca’s attorney stood.
“This interview is over.”
I leaned closer.
“Did Mom intend for Anna to die?”
Rebecca hesitated.
“I don’t know.”
It was the first answer I believed.
As deputies escorted her away, Rebecca turned.
“There’s a security camera.”
Detective Torres stopped her.
“Where?”
“Dad installed one outside the garage after someone broke into the neighborhood.”
“We reviewed the system. The footage was erased.”
“Mom kept backups on a memory card.”
“Where?”
“In the old family Bible.”
Police searched the house again.
Inside the hollowed center of a large Bible in Linda’s bedroom, they found three memory cards.
One contained video from the evening Anna died.
The camera faced the driveway.
At 6:42 p.m., Anna arrived in her car.
At 7:03, she entered my parents’ house.
At 7:11, Linda walked outside and opened Anna’s hood.
Her body blocked the camera’s view of what she did.
At 7:17, Anna tried to start the car.
It failed.
Linda appeared carrying the SUV keys.
Anna hesitated.
Linda placed the keys into her hand.
The final image showed my mother watching the SUV disappear into the rain.
May you like
She did not look frightened.
She smiled.
