Chapter 9 - The Deal Michael Swore Wasn’t MurderPolice found Michael Bennett that evening.
He wasn’t running.
He was sitting alone inside a bar near Denver International Airport with a half-empty glass of whiskey and a boarding pass to Seattle.
When deputies brought him in, Claire watched the interview remotely.
Michael looked older than she remembered.
Fifty.
Gray at his temples.
Expensive shirt wrinkled.
Fear in his eyes.
He didn’t know Claire had survived.
Mercer began gently.
“When did you last speak with Claire?”
“Months ago.”
“Did you know she was hiking Raven Falls yesterday?”
Michael hesitated.
“No.”
Lie.
Claire knew it immediately.
Mercer placed a photograph of Ethan on the table.
“Know him?”
“No.”
Another lie.
Michael’s shoulders had tightened.
Mercer played the audio recording.
Michael closed his eyes.
The interview room became silent.
When the recording ended, Mercer asked, “Would you like to change your answer?”
Michael covered his face.
Claire felt nothing but contempt.
“I didn’t know he was going to kill her.”
Ava stood behind Claire.
Her face crumpled.
Mercer asked, “What did you think he meant by ‘when Claire is gone’?”
Michael stared at the table.
“I thought he was going to marry her.”
Claire almost laughed.
The explanation was absurd.
Then Michael continued.
“I owed money.”
“How much?”
“Eight hundred thousand.”
“Gambling?”
Michael nodded.
Claire closed her eyes.
That weakness had existed during their marriage.
She had believed he stopped.
“I met Ethan through a private poker game,” Michael said. “He learned who Claire was.”
“Then?”
“He asked questions.”
“What kind?”
“Her schedule. Interests. Places she went.”
Claire felt Ava’s hand touch her shoulder.
Michael wiped his face.
“He said he wanted to meet her.”
“You introduced them?”
“No.”
“Did you arrange the charity event?”
Michael didn’t answer.
Mercer leaned forward.
“Michael.”
“Yes.”
Claire felt physically ill.
The event where Ethan had supposedly noticed her across a crowded ballroom.
The story they had retold dozens of times.
Fate.
Manufactured.
“What was the deal?” Mercer asked.
“He’d forgive two hundred thousand of what I owed.”
“In exchange for your ex-wife?”
“I didn’t think—”
“You sold access to her.”
Michael started crying.
“I didn’t know what he was.”
Mercer put the insurance document on the table.
“What about this?”
Michael looked at it.
“I signed something he gave me.”
“You forged Claire’s signature.”
“He said it was just to prove she had knowledge of the policy.”
“You signed your ex-wife’s name.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Michael’s voice dropped.
“He threatened Ava.”
Claire froze.
Behind her, Ava whispered, “What?”
Mercer sat back.
“Explain.”
“He had photographs of her apartment. Her car. Her college.”
Ava’s face drained.
“He said if I didn’t cooperate, he would collect from me another way.”
Claire stared at the screen.
For the first time, Michael’s fear looked genuine.
“You could have called police,” Mercer said.
“I was ashamed.”
“So you let a dangerous man date Claire instead.”
Michael said nothing.
“Did you know about Mara Parker?”
“No.”
“Rebecca Holloway?”
“No.”
“The other women?”
“No.”
Mercer slid photographs across the table.
Michael looked horrified.
Claire hated that she believed his reaction.
Not completely.
But enough to know Ethan had manipulated him too.
Then Mercer asked, “Who attacked Maya?”
Michael looked confused.
“Who?”
“The woman who photographed Claire’s attempted murder.”
“I don’t know.”
“Someone went to the hospital.”
“What hospital?”
Michael looked up.
“Did you find Claire?”
Mercer remained silent.
Michael’s face changed.
Hope.
Then fear.
“She’s alive?”
Claire’s stomach twisted.
Mercer ended the interview.
Afterward, he entered the room where Claire watched.
“I believe he knew Ethan was dangerous,” he said. “I’m less convinced he knew about the murder plan.”
Ava turned away.
Claire looked at her daughter.
“Go home.”
“No.”
“You need sleep.”
“So do you.”
Claire couldn’t argue.
Her phone—temporarily replaced by police—buzzed.
Unknown number.
She looked at Mercer.
He nodded.
“Answer on speaker.”
Claire accepted the call.
Silence.
Then a woman breathed.
“Claire?”
Claire’s heart stopped.
“Maya?”
“You’re alive.”
Mercer motioned for everyone to stay quiet.
“Where are you?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“Are you hurt?”
A nervous laugh.
“Yes.”
“What happened?”
“He found me.”
“Ethan?”
“No.”
Claire exchanged looks with Mercer.
“Then who?”
Maya’s voice shook.
“The woman.”
“Mara?”
“She took my camera.”
Claire gripped the phone.
“Do you still have the photograph?”
A long pause.
“She thinks she destroyed it.”
“Did she?”
“No.”
Claire leaned forward.
“Where is it?”
“I backed everything up.”
Relief rushed through the room.
“Send it.”
“I will.”
“Now, Maya.”
“I need something first.”
“What?”
Another silence.
Then Maya said, “I need you to promise me you won’t let the police stop with Ethan.”
Claire frowned.
“Why?”
Maya began crying.
“Because Ethan didn’t kill my mother alone.”
Rebecca.
Claire’s pulse accelerated.
“Who helped him?”
Maya took a breath.
May you like
Then answered.
“Your ex-husband.”
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