Uncle Raymond's Alibi
Chapter 07 - Uncle Raymond's Alibi
Detective Aaron Cole had been a rookie officer when Margaret died.
Now he was captain of the county investigations unit.
Claire brought him the photograph.
He studied it for a long time.
"I remember this fire."
"You investigated it?"
"I stood outside holding a flashlight."
He looked ashamed.
"Nobody questioned the husband because everyone believed it was electrical."
Claire showed him Margaret's recording.
Cole agreed to reopen the file.
The original fire report revealed something strange.
Investigators had found evidence of gasoline in the garage.
But William said he stored lawn equipment there.
No further questions were asked.
Raymond's alibi came from William.
The brothers claimed they were together at a business conference.
But the photograph proved Raymond's car was near the house.
Claire confronted her father again.
This time, Daniel came with her.
William looked exhausted.
"You won't stop."
"No."
"Your mother wouldn't want this."
Claire placed the photograph down.
"Don't tell me what she would want."
William stared at Raymond's car.
Then he sat.
For the first time, he looked old.
"Raymond called me that night."
Claire stopped breathing.
"What did he say?"
"He said there had been an accident."
"What accident?"
William began crying.
"He went to talk to your mother."
Claire felt Daniel move closer.
"About the documents?"
William nodded.
"He wanted them back."
"What happened?"
"I don't know exactly."
"Stop protecting him."
"He's dead."
"Mom is dead too."
William covered his face.
When he finally spoke, his voice was barely audible.
"Raymond said they argued."
Margaret locked herself inside the house.
Raymond tried entering through the garage.
Something caught fire.
He panicked.
He ran.
"Did you know Mom was inside?"
William nodded.
Claire stepped back.
"And you didn't tell police?"
"I was terrified."
"Of Raymond?"
"Of everything."
"The company?"
"The money."
Claire's face hardened.
"You let me grow up believing my mother's death was an accident because telling the truth might cost you money."
William stood.
"No."
Claire looked directly at him.
"What did it cost you, Dad?"
He couldn't answer.
May you like
Claire whispered:
"It cost me my mother."
