Taking a deep breath, Jake explained, “Harper inherited the company after Chris’s death, but she didn’t want to manage it. So, I took over by mutual agreement. But things went downhill. We were on the brink of bankruptcy, and Harper suggested taking out loans to save the company.”
Brenda’s suspicions deepened. “But you said she didn’t want to be involved in the business?”
“We were desperate,” Jake replied. “But a week ago, Harper withdrew the five-million-dollar loan and disappeared. The police started looking for her.”
Brenda was shocked. “Harper stole the loan money?”
Jake nodded. “But she paid the price. The police found her car crashed and burned near the woods. They recovered a body, charred beyond recognition, but identified by Harper’s gold pendant. The case was closed as an accidental death.”
Brenda’s mind reeled. None of this made sense. “But the groundskeeper said no one attended her funeral,” she said, her suspicions growing.
Jake’s anxiety and sudden decision to leave the city only fueled her doubts. Something was very wrong.
“Jake, when is your flight?” Brenda asked, formulating a plan.
“Early tomorrow morning…6 a.m.,” he replied.
“Do you mind if I stay here tonight? I’m not comfortable staying in a hotel alone,” Brenda asked, hoping to buy some time.
Reluctantly, Jake agreed and showed her to the guest room. Brenda waited until Jake’s bedroom lights went out before sneaking into the living room to search his luggage. Her hands trembled as she rummaged through his belongings, fearing what she might find.
Her worst suspicions were confirmed when she discovered two fake passports hidden in a secret compartment. One featured a photo of Harper but under a different name—Sarah. The other passport bore Jake’s photo, also with a different name.
What are they up to? Brenda wondered, her heart pounding.
She also found two plane tickets to London, booked under the fake names. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Brenda knew she had to act fast.
She quickly put everything back in place and hurried to a nearby pharmacy, returning with sleeping tablets. The next morning, she was already in the kitchen when Jake came downstairs.
“Good morning, Jake! Have some breakfast before your flight,” Brenda said warmly, handing him a glass of juice.
“Thanks, Mrs. Sutton,” Jake said, taking a sip. Within minutes, he was fast asleep on the couch.
Brenda waited anxiously for Harper to call or text Jake. Finally, a message appeared on his phone: “How could you oversleep? We’re flying to London today! I’m getting a taxi and coming to your house right now.”
Perfect, Brenda thought, hiding behind the front door. When Harper arrived, Brenda struck her with a vase, knocking her out cold. She quickly called the police, explaining everything she had uncovered.
Both Jake and Harper were arrested. While Jake remained silent, Harper confessed, hoping for a reduced sentence. She admitted they had staged her death by bribing a morgue worker to obtain a body, which they placed in her car before setting it on fire.
Brenda was left reeling from the betrayal, but she was relieved to have uncovered the truth. Though her son was gone, she ensured that those who sought to tarnish his memory were brought to justice.