Chapter 3 - Ethan’s Last Letter
Sarah knew Ethan’s handwriting before Julian read a single word.
The uneven capital E.
The way he crossed every T too high.
The tiny ink mark he always left after writing her name because he paused there.
Julian began.
“Sarah, if you are hearing this after I’m gone, then something happened before I could fix it.”
Sarah covered her mouth.
Victoria looked toward the doors again.
“Enough.”
Julian ignored her.
“I need you to know that you are not crazy, you are not irresponsible, and you did not steal anything.”
Sarah closed her eyes.
For seven years, those were exactly the things she had needed somebody to say.
Ethan’s letter continued.
“My mother has been moving money out of the Sterling Children’s Trust.”
Gasps spread through the room.
Victoria snapped.
“That letter is fake.”
Julian kept reading.
“I confronted her. She said she was protecting the family. She said Sarah would destroy everything if I gave her control.”
Sarah looked up.
Control of what?
“I changed my estate plan today. If I die, Sarah remains Leo’s sole legal guardian. No one else has authority over him unless a court proves Sarah unfit through independent evidence.”
Sarah stared at Julian.
“That wasn’t in probate.”
“No.”
Julian looked sick.
“It wasn’t.”
Victoria lifted her chin.
“Because Ethan was confused.”
Julian’s voice became harder.
“He was thirty-two.”
“He was emotional.”
“He was your son.”
“And I knew him better than anybody.”
Sarah stepped forward.
“No.”
Victoria looked at her.
“You knew how to control him better than anybody.”
Leo squeezed Sarah’s fingers.
Julian returned to the letter.
“There is a key with this letter. Sarah will know where to use it when the time is right.”
Sarah stared at the brass key.
“I don’t.”
Julian turned it over.
A tiny number was stamped into the metal.
214.
Sarah’s stomach tightened.
Ethan had once rented locker 214 at Union Station.
He kept emergency documents there when he didn’t trust his mother.
But the station lockers had been removed years ago.
Julian kept reading.
“If anything happens to me, do not trust the first police report.”
The ballroom became utterly silent.
“The car has been checked twice this week. Someone has been following me. Yesterday I found a photograph of Sarah and Leo inside my desk with a red X drawn across Sarah’s face.”
Sarah’s eyes snapped toward Victoria.
Victoria said nothing.
“Ethan was scared?” Sarah whispered.
Julian nodded.
“And you never told me?”
“I never saw this letter.”
Sarah’s anger turned toward him.
“You were his best friend.”
“I know.”
“You were Leo’s godfather.”
“I know.”
“And when Victoria took my son, you stood beside her in court.”
Julian’s jaw tightened.
“I believed the evidence.”
“You believed the richest person in the room.”
He had no answer.
Sarah laughed bitterly.
“Of course you did.”
One of the security guards approached Julian.
“Sir.”
“What?”
“There are officers outside.”
Victoria smiled slightly.
“Finally.”
The guard hesitated.
“They’re asking for Ms. Mitchell.”
Sarah turned.
“For me?”
Two police officers entered.
The older one looked uncomfortable.
“Sarah Mitchell?”
“Yes.”
“We have an active warrant.”
Leo grabbed her.
“No!”
Sarah stared at the officer.
“For what?”
“Grand theft and financial fraud.”
Victoria finally smiled.
“That would be the money she claims she never stole.”
Julian stepped forward.
“That case was closed.”
“Apparently it was reopened this afternoon.”
Sarah looked at Victoria.
“When did you do this?”
Victoria’s smile widened.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
The officer reached for his handcuffs.
Julian blocked him.
“Before you touch her, call your supervisor.”
“Sir—”
“Call him.”
The officer hesitated.
Then his radio crackled.
A woman’s voice came through.
“Unit Twelve, hold the Mitchell arrest.”
The officer pressed the radio.
“Reason?”
A pause.
Then the answer came.
“Homicide wants her brought in as a witness instead.”
Sarah felt every hair on her arms rise.
The officer looked at her.
“Mrs. Mitchell, detectives reopened Ethan Sterling’s death thirty minutes ago.”
Victoria’s smile disappeared.
The officer continued.
May you like
“The original crash is now being investigated as a possible homicide.”
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