Truth

blue Camry was discovered this morning. We don’t know the cause of the accident, but we believe both of your parents were discovered within the car. It may have been due to wet leaves. We had a hard rain here last night. Or with the year of your parent’s car, it could be an acceleration issue. Their car hit a tree. The coroner believes they both died instantly. We need you to travel to New Jersey to identify the bodies.”
    Sophia collapsed onto the steps of her cottage as the tears grew and sobs formed in her chest. Her mind tried to process. She managed to speak, “Okay, I can do that.”
    “ Visible identification will be difficult. We were hoping for familiar DNA.”
“I’m sorry. That won’t work. I’m adopted.”
    “ Are there any other siblings?”
    “ No, I’m an only child.”
    “ Perhaps you will be able to identify their belongings.”
    “ I will be there as soon as I can.” Her mind tried to process, “Can you tell me who was driving?”
    “ It was your father, Mrs. Burke. May I ask why you’re asking?”
    “ Curiosity, Officer, perhaps shock.”
    “ I understand. Please ask for me, Officer McPherson, when you arrive.”
    “ I will. Thank you.” Sophia disconnected the call and called Derek’s international phone.
    Although she knew it would be best to claim an acceleration problem or possibly wet leaves as the officer suggested, Sophia knew that wasn’t the cause. Officer McPherson said Pop was driving. Why hadn’t her mom listened? Sophia pleaded with her to take away Pop’s keys. It wasn’t his fault. Not really, yet Sophia knew in her heart, it was. What would she do without them?
     
    *****
     
    The mid-morning sun moved higher as Tony’s private plane touched down in Iowa. After the call from Clay he cut his European trip short and immediately headed home. If someone tried to push Claire off the road, he needed to be there. Tony tried Claire’s phone again. No answer. He hadn’t been able to reach her since the near accident, even her voicemail wouldn’t activate.
    Getting into the car, he tried Catherine’s phone. When the line connected, Tony couldn’t comprehend Catherine’s words, “What do you mean she left yesterday and hasn’t come back? How could she leave without Clay?”
    “ She said she was tired of the constant surveillance and needed a break.”
    “ When? Why haven’t you called me or the police?”
    Catherine tried to justify her reasoning, “Yesterday evening... I assumed she’d be back. It wasn’t until this morning we realized she never returned. You were in the air; I couldn’t reach you. I haven’t called the police; what was I supposed to say? A twenty-nine year old woman drove away on her own and now I can’t reach her? Once Clay learned she’d disappeared, he followed the GPS. Your car was just located outside Des Moines... Anton, I’m so sorry. I truly thought she would return after she got her break. You know how the hormones are making her emotional. I’m very worried.”
    Eric couldn’t drive the car fast enough for Tony. “Eric! Hit the damn gas! I need to be home!” His mind scrambled as he spoke to Catherine through the phone, “Des Moines? Jane Allyson is there. I’ll contact her.”
    “ Claire left her phone and iPad here. I can tell you, she’s missed many calls from people, especially her sister.”
    “ Shit. Someone will need to contact Emily.” The jet lag was nothing compared to the chaos in his mind. “What if Chester’s accomplice has her? We need to get the police involved. Have I received any ransom requests?”
    “ No, nothing here.”
    “ So, a car tries to run Clay off the road and later that same day Claire decides to leave. Doesn’t anyone else think this is suspicious?” His question was rhetorical; he’d disconnected their call.
    A few minutes later, the front door of the estate burst open. Tony entered barking orders into his phone and around the room. He wanted everyone in his office yesterday . He wanted the security detail, Tom and Brent, the local police chief, and he even contacted the FBI. His call to Jane Allyson went to her secretary. Ms. Allyson was in court and won’t be available for another few hours; however, the secretary knew nothing about Ms. Nichols.
    Tony even called Emily and Harry. Surprisingly, the call with Harry went better than the one with Emily. He ended up hanging up on her. Harry promised to call with any news and assured Tony they’d not seen or heard from