Chapter 13 - THE LAST DRIVE
Lorraine was not charged with murder.
Not then.
Investigators had to prove more than paint transfer.
But the pressure broke something in her.
Three days later, she asked to speak.
Her attorney was present.
So was Detective Ruiz.
So was a recorder.
Lorraine admitted following Natalie.
She admitted pulling beside her at a stoplight.
She admitted screaming through the window.
Then, on a narrow stretch of road, she admitted bumping Natalie’s rear quarter panel.
“Just once,” she cried.
Daniel sat motionless.
Ruiz asked, “Why?”
“I wanted her to pull over.”
“You struck her vehicle.”
“I barely touched it.”
“At highway speed.”
“She kept driving.”
“What happened next?”
Lorraine covered her face.
“I saw her lose control.”
Daniel stood.
I grabbed his hand before he moved.
Lorraine sobbed.
“I stopped.”
Ruiz’s voice remained flat.
“Did you call 911?”
“No.”
“Did you approach the vehicle?”
“Yes.”
“Was Natalie alive?”
A long pause.
“Yes.”
Daniel made a sound like someone had hit him.
“What did she say?”
Lorraine stared at the table.
“She said… help me.”
Nobody moved.
Ruiz asked, “Did you?”
Lorraine shook her head.
“Why not?”
“She had ruined everything.”
Daniel lunged.
Two officers caught him.
I stood frozen.
Lorraine screamed, “I panicked!”
Daniel shouted, “She was alive!”
“I know!”
“You left her there!”
“I know!”
The room exploded.
I felt sick.
Later, investigators determined another driver called emergency services twelve minutes afterward.
Natalie died at the hospital.
Whether faster help would have saved her became a medical question prosecutors would argue later.
But morally, the answer was already clear.
Lorraine had seen a dying woman and chosen revenge.
Andrew came to see me once after his mother’s confession.
We met in Rachel’s office.
He cried.
“I didn’t know.”
“I believe you.”
He looked surprised.
“That doesn’t save us.”
His shoulders dropped.
“I know.”
“You cheated.”
“I know.”
“You lied about money.”
“I know.”
“You let people target my assets.”
“I know.”
“You watched your mother live in our house and tear me down because it was easier than standing up to her.”
His voice broke.
“I know.”
For years, I had imagined that if Andrew ever truly understood how much he hurt me, I would feel satisfied.
I didn’t.
I felt tired.
“I filed for divorce.”
He closed his eyes.
“When?”
“This morning.”
He nodded.
Then pushed a small velvet box across the table.
My wedding ring.
I had left it on the bathroom counter the morning of my birthday.
“I thought you’d want it.”
I pushed it back.
“No.”
He stared at me.
“Keep it.”
“Why?”
“Sell it and put the money toward the lender you lied to.”
I stood.
Then Andrew said, “Claire.”
I stopped.
“Marcus is going to say I planned the forgery.”
“Did you?”
“No.”
I looked at him.
“Then prove it.”
His face twisted.
“I don’t have the messages anymore.”
I almost walked away.
Then Rachel’s phone rang.
She answered.
Listened.
Looked at me.
“Police found Marcus.”
“Where?”
“At the lake cottage.”
May you like
My stomach dropped.
“With gasoline.”
