Chapter 6 - Brad's real business
Brad wasn't surviving as a widowed father.
He was operating a market.
Information.
Access.
Silence.
Lena traced payments from Alexandra Vale to Brad beginning seven years earlier.
Exactly after Willow's reported death.
Brad then paid Dr. Keene.
The nurse.
The farmhouse.
Someone was funding Willow's confinement or care.
Which?
That distinction mattered.
I followed Brad again.
This time he led me to a courthouse parking garage.
Alexandra was waiting.
I stayed far enough away.
He threw a folder at her.
She slapped him.
Then I heard enough through Lena's directional recorder.
“You said she remembered nothing.”
“She remembers more every month.”
“She said Henry's name.”
My heart stopped.
Alexandra said:
“Then move her.”
Brad answered:
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because Noah won't go.”
“You don't need the boy anymore.”
Brad grabbed her wrist.
“If anything happens to either of them, I send everything.”
This wasn't a partnership.
It was mutual blackmail.
Then Alexandra said:
“Your father-in-law is already looking.”
Brad became still.
She knew about me.
“How?”
“Because Henry isn't as stupid as you said.”
I almost smiled despite everything.
Then:
“If he learns Willow survived, you lose Ivy.”
Brad's face changed.
Not fear for Willow.
Fear of losing control.
That evening he came to my house.
Alone.
“We need to talk.”
I let him in.
He stared at Willow's urn.
Then said:
“You've been following me.”
“Yes.”
No point lying.
His face hardened.
“You don't know what you're doing.”
“Then explain.”
He laughed bitterly.
“You think I killed her?”
“I think you buried someone under her name.”
That landed.
He looked at me.
“You found the photo.”
I didn't answer.
Brad sat down.
For the first time in seven years, he looked exhausted rather than controlled.
“Willow survived the crash.”
My entire body went numb.
“Where is she?”
“Safe.”
“Safe?”
“She had a traumatic brain injury.”
“What?”
“She woke up confused. Violent. She didn't recognize anyone consistently.”
“Then why tell us she died?”
Brad's eyes filled.
“Because somebody tried to kill her twice.”
Silence.
“Who?”
He looked toward the window.
“Adrian Vale.”
Noah's father.
May you like
Then Brad said something I didn't expect.
“And your daughter asked me to fake her death.”
