The Funeral With No Body
Chapter 09 - The Funeral With No Body
Anne Bennett had never been in the coffin.
The funeral home records proved it.
The accident had happened in West Virginia while Anne was driving to meet Thomas.
A vehicle registered to Hale Development had been found near the scene, though no charges were ever filed.
Anne's damaged car was recovered.
Her identification was found inside.
Victor told the family the remains were not viewable.
Everyone believed him.
Everyone was grieving.
Everyone wanted someone confident to explain what happened.
Victor had been very confident.
Claire listened to the story in a hospital conference room.
She felt as though she were hearing about another person's life.
Anne had spent nine months in neurological rehabilitation.
Her memory returned slowly.
By then Victor had obtained legal authority over several parts of her care through documents she claimed she never understood.
"He told me Claire had moved," Anne said. "Then he told me you wanted nothing to do with me."
Claire closed her eyes.
"I was nineteen."
"I know."
"No. I was nineteen and I thought I had no one."
Anne whispered, "I'm sorry."
Claire looked at her.
For the first time, she saw not the mother who had abandoned her but a frightened older woman who had been lied to for years.
Still, forgiveness did not come automatically.
Truth was not a magic door.
Sometimes it was only the hallway.
Daniel sat beside Claire.
He did not touch her.
That mattered.
He was learning.
A social worker entered carrying Anne's personal effects.
Among them was a small digital recorder.
Anne stared at it.
"Thomas gave me one like that."
Rachel examined the device.
The battery was dead, but the memory card was intact.
Two days later, they listened to the recording.
Thomas's voice came through first.
"If you're hearing this, Anne made it to me."
Then Anne's younger voice.
"Victor forged my signature."
Thomas answered.
"I know."
"He took Claire's trust."
"I know."
"Can we prove it?"
A pause.
"Yes."
Claire gripped the edge of the table.
Then a third voice entered the recording.
Victor Hale.
Calm.
Close.
Dangerously clear.
"You are making a mistake, Anne."
The recording ended.
Rachel stared at Claire.
Daniel whispered, "That's enough."
Rachel shook her head.
"No."
Claire looked at her.
Rachel's face had gone pale.
"It's enough to start."
May you like
Then she pressed play again.
"Because there are six more files."
