Chapter 19 - THE LAST SECRET
The formal inquiry into the crash reopened two weeks later.
Sophia's attorney issued a statement denying any involvement in the altered report. Peter Harlow refused to answer questions until his counsel reviewed the evidence. Northgate Risk claimed that its payment to Derek Shaw had been for legitimate consulting services.
But the documents were beginning to form a pattern.
The most damaging evidence came from an old email account that had been preserved by the airline's legal department.
A message from Sophia to Peter Harlow had been sent two days after the crash.
The subject line read: THE WIFE.
The message was brief.
You told me the passenger was not recovered. I need that to remain the official conclusion. Vincent cannot be allowed to keep looking. He needs to accept what happened and move on.
Harlow replied:
The final report will reflect the available evidence. There is no confirmed identification.
Sophia's answer came six minutes later.
Make sure there is no reason for him to question it.
Vincent read the exchange in silence.
Marco stood across the desk.
“It's enough to establish that she wanted the investigation closed.”
“Not that she caused the explosion.”
“No. We still don't know whether the mechanical fault was accidental or deliberate.”
Vincent looked at the preliminary maintenance report.
A fuel-line component had been flagged for replacement before the flight. The repair had been marked complete, but the technician's signature did not match the one on file.
“Find the technician.”
Marco nodded.
That evening, Vincent attended Noah's preschool art show.
He stood at the back of the room, as Anna had requested. The children had painted animals, houses, and families. Noah's picture showed three people holding hands beneath a yellow sun.
A woman with dark hair stood beside a little boy.
A tall man stood on the other side.
Vincent stared at it.
Noah spotted him and waved.
“Daddy!”
The word traveled through the room.
Vincent's chest tightened.
He waved back, careful not to move closer until Anna gave a small nod.
After the show, Noah ran to him.
“Did you see my picture?”
“I did. It's wonderful.”
“That's Mommy. That's me. And that's you.”
Vincent crouched.
“I can tell.”
“Can you come to my birthday?”
Anna approached.
“We haven't discussed that.”
Noah looked between them.
“Please?”
Vincent did not answer for her.
Anna studied his face.
“We'll talk about it.”
Noah accepted that and ran back to show his teacher another drawing.
Vincent stood.
“Thank you for letting me come.”
“He wanted you here.”
“I know.”
Anna's expression softened for a second, then became guarded again.
“Don't confuse that with everything being fixed.”
“I won't.”
She looked toward the painting.
“He's happy. That's what matters.”
Vincent nodded.
“I want to help protect that.”
“Then keep showing up. Quietly. Consistently. Don't make him promises because you want me to trust you.”
“I won't.”
Anna looked at him for a long moment.
“Good night, Vincent.”
“Good night, Anna.”
He left without asking for more.
Later that night, Marco called.
“We found the technician.”
“Name?”
“Elliot Voss. He says the fuel-line repair was never completed. Someone used his credentials.”
Vincent stood.
“Who?”
Marco hesitated.
“He says the instruction came from a contractor hired by Northgate Risk.”
Vincent looked at the email from Sophia.
May you like
The cover-up had been deliberate.
But the original failure might have been something worse.
