The Price of Speaking
Chapter 06 - The Price of Speaking
Rosa did not answer Ethan's next six calls.
The following morning, she didn't show up for work.
By noon, her employee profile had disappeared from the company system.
Ethan knew because Mr. Kellerman quietly texted him one sentence.
ROSA QUIT.
Ethan didn't believe it.
Rosa had worked at Cole Automotive for eleven years.
She had two children.
She had once told Ethan she stayed because the health insurance covered her son's asthma medication.
People like Rosa did not walk away without saying goodbye.
Ethan drove to her apartment.
Her car was gone.
The landlord said she had left early that morning with suitcases.
"Family emergency," he said.
Ethan stood on the sidewalk, thinking about Blake.
Then a black sedan slowed near the curb.
The driver's window lowered.
Blake Cole.
Ethan did not move.
Blake smiled.
"You should stop bothering my employees."
"Rosa called me."
"Rosa is confused."
"Is that why she's gone?"
Blake's smile disappeared.
"You have a habit of inserting yourself into places you don't belong."
"You mean like your son's car?"
Blake stared at him.
Ethan continued.
"You left Noah there."
Blake opened the car door and stepped out.
He was taller than Ethan remembered.
But Ethan did not step back.
"You think this is some kind of movie?" Blake asked. "You think the poor kid tells the truth and the rich guy gets punished?"
"I think your baby could've died."
Blake's face went blank.
Not guilty.
Not afraid.
Blank.
"He's not my baby."
Ethan frowned.
Blake realized too late what he had said.
Noah was Blake's stepson.
Madison's first husband, Daniel, had died before Noah was born.
Blake had married Madison six months later.
Ethan knew that much from the news articles strangers had posted online.
Blake leaned closer.
"Stay away from my family."
Then he got back into the sedan.
That afternoon, Madison received an email from the police department.
They needed a supplemental statement.
She opened the draft Blake's attorney had prepared for her.
It said Ethan Reed had acted suspiciously.
It said she feared he intended to abduct Noah.
It said Blake had been only steps away from the vehicle.
Every line was a lie.
At the bottom was a place for her signature.
May you like
Madison stared at it.
Then she clicked DELETE.
