Chapter 6 - THE WOMAN WHO PULLED HER OUT
Clara Evans agreed to meet Anna at a small café near the lake.
Anna had not seen her since the hospital. For three years, she had sent holiday cards to the address Clara had given her, but none had been returned.
When Clara walked through the door, Anna stood.
“Clara.”
The older woman hugged her tightly.
“I heard you were alive. I wanted to come sooner.”
“Why didn't you?”
Clara glanced toward the window.
“Because someone told me to stay away.”
Anna's stomach tightened.
“Who?”
“A man from the airline's legal department. He said the crash investigation was still open and that speaking to you could compromise the case.”
“Was that true?”
“I don't think so.”
Clara sat down.
For a few moments, neither spoke.
Then Anna asked, “What really happened after the explosion?”
“You were near the rear service exit. I found you on the stairs, barely conscious. You kept saying Vincent's name. I tried to pull you farther away, but the second engine caught fire.”
“I remember the explosion.”
“You fell when the blast wave hit. I thought you were dead. Then I heard you crying.”
Anna closed her eyes.
Clara continued.
“I got you behind a concrete barrier. A ground crew vehicle took us to the hospital. I stayed until the doctors admitted you.”
“Why didn't you tell the police I was alive?”
“I did. I gave them your name. They told me the passenger list showed you had died, and they said the woman I rescued was probably another passenger.”
“That makes no sense.”
“I know.”
Clara reached into her handbag and removed a small envelope.
“I kept this.”
Inside was a photograph taken on the runway. It showed Clara helping Anna toward the emergency vehicle. The date and time were printed at the bottom.
On the back was a handwritten note:
REAR EXIT — SURVIVOR REMOVED BEFORE SECONDARY EXPLOSION.
Anna stared at it.
“Who wrote this?”
“The paramedic who treated you. He told me to keep a copy because the official report might not include the rescue.”
“Did you ever speak to Vincent?”
“No. I tried to contact his office once. Someone told me the family had closed the matter.”
Anna looked down at the photograph.
“Did you know Sophia?”
Clara nodded.
“She was on the plane. I saw her leave with Mr. Moretti.”
“Did she come back?”
Clara hesitated.
“Not immediately.”
“What do you mean?”
“She was outside with him. Then she went back toward the aircraft.”
Anna looked up.
“Why?”
“I don't know. I saw her speaking to one of the ground crew members. Then the explosion happened.”
“Did you tell investigators?”
“I tried. My statement was shortened. The part about Sophia was missing from the final transcript.”
“Who changed it?”
“I never found out.”
Clara leaned closer.
“Anna, a few weeks after the crash, I received an envelope with cash and a letter telling me not to discuss the evacuation.”
Anna's fingers tightened around the photograph.
“Who sent it?”
“The letterhead was from Bellini International.”
The café suddenly seemed too small.
Sophia's father had paid Clara to remain silent. And Sophia had returned toward the plane after Vincent led her away.
Anna looked at the photograph again.
“Clara, I need you to tell Vincent everything.”
Clara shook her head.
May you like
“I don't trust his family.”
“Neither do I. But I trust the truth.”
