Page 71 of The Cottage on Plum Island
Jennifer,
I know how to make things right.
I also remember where Clair told me the evidence was hidden.
I’m going home to get it.
I’ve put my phone number on your cell phone.
This is to clear Harley’s name and bring the real killer to justice.
Angela
Jennifer’s hands shook as she pulled out her phone and scrolled through the number, finding Angela’s. She hit dial, her eyes widening in surprise when a phone started ringing in Angela’s bedroom. Jennifer followed the sound to the drawer on the far side nightstand.
Jennifer pulled it open and saw the phone flashing with her name on the screen. As Jennifer reached for it, the phone went to voicemail.
Jennifer, if this is you, and it has to be because you’re the only one with the number, take the phone to Harley, and don’t tell anyone you have it.
It’s your special day.
Happy Birthday, Jennifer.
The message clicked off, and Jennifer stared at Angela’s phone in disbelief. She clicked it on, and it was password-protected.
“Great!” Jennifer said, shaking her head. “How am I supposed to…” The voice message ran through her mind. “How did Angela know it’s my birthday?”
She turned and ran back to her room. Her purse was on the dresser, and it was open. Jennifer dug into it and fished out her wallet. She opened it and saw that her driver’s license had been turned upside down. Angela had gone through her wallet. She opened it to the cash compartment and found the cash she had in there missing and another note.
I’ll pay you back, I promise
Angela.
“Where did she get all the paper from for a note!” Jennifer’s head swiveled, and she remembered that her notebook had been on the floor when she woke up. “How long had Angela been in my room before I woke?”
A feeling of dread ran down Jennifer’s spine—Have I been played?
She looked at Angela’s phone. A thought struck her, and she clicked it on, punching in her birthdate, which unlocked the phone. Jennifer found video footage on the phone of the day Clair busted Angela fromthe mental institute. Clair had recorded the entire day and captured the real murderer or murderers! Her blood went cold when she saw who the male perpetrators was.
Jennifer now knew who’d called the police to the garage! She squinted at the older of the two people she’d frozen on the screen. Something about them jogged her memory, and an article she’d read while searching for information about the Hanover and Wesley families sprung into her mind.
Jennifer opened the internet search on her phone and found the article. Her eyes widened as she compared the faces —it was the same person. Jennifer’s blood ran cold as her eyes scanned the old article dated a week after Andrew walked out on their family.
The Jury found Shaun Hanover not guilty, and Gloria Liddle’s death was ruled an unfortunate accident thanks to his attorney, Andrew Gains. Throughout the trial, his family and friends stuck by him, insisting he was innocent. Andrew Gains wouldn’t comment on his victory and left ahead of Shaun. Andrew’s father, Judge Pearce Gains, was only too happy to give a statement commenting that he couldn’t have been prouder of his son for ensuring Shaun wasn’t jailed for a crime he didn’t commit.
Gloria’s younger sister, Leigh-Anne, wasn’t as happy about the outcome of the trial and stated that it wasn’t justice that had prevailed; it was money and a corrupt system that failed Gloria. Miss Liddle wasquoted saying that she didn’t care how long it took, she’d make sure that the truth came out and Gloria would finally get justice for what happened to her.
“I have to get to Harley,” Jennifer murmured, her mind reeling as she grabbed her purse and car keys. “This isn’t about money—it’s about revenge, and he’s caught in the middle!”
CHAPTER 14
Harley couldn’t believe what was happening. It was like a bad dream.
“They have nothing on you besides your lockup and your argument with Clair,” Andrew assured him. “Everyone fought with Clair. She wasn’t the easiest person to get along with.”
“Yes, but right now, the police only know ofmyargument with Clair,“ Harley pointed out.
“Leave it to me,” Andrew told him, glancing toward the door. “I wonder where the detective went?”
