Chapter 6 - Unearthing the Grave
“Aaron, you look terrible,” Sophie said loudly, cutting through the pleasantries. “Are you feeling okay? You’re sweating through your shirt.”
Mom frowned, looking at him. “You do look pale, sweetheart. Do you have a fever?”
“I’m fine,” Aaron stammered, wiping his forehead. “Just... allergies. It’s warm in here.”
“Let me get your allergy pills from your truck,” Sophie offered instantly, standing up before he could protest. “Keys?”
Aaron hesitated, his eyes darting to Logan. Logan’s eyes narrowed, sensing a shift in the dynamic but unable to stop it without looking suspicious in front of Mom. Reluctantly, Aaron dug into his pocket and tossed Sophie his keyring.
She walked out of the restaurant. I stayed at the table, keeping Logan engaged in mundane conversation about the divorce paperwork, tying up his attention so he wouldn't follow her. The minutes stretched on like hours. The air in the room felt thick and suffocating.
Ten minutes later, Sophie returned. She casually tossed the keys back to Aaron and slipped back into her seat. Under the table, she passed me a thick manila envelope. She had found it in the briefcase.
I excused myself to the restroom, locking the heavy wooden door behind me. I ripped open the envelope. Inside were the bank transfer receipts, email printouts between Logan and Aaron discussing the “Sophie problem,” and a signed contract showing Logan promising Aaron another hundred thousand dollars from the life insurance payout once the "accident" was complete.
It was premeditated, documented, and absolutely damning.
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I took photos of every single page and sent them directly to my lawyer and the local police precinct, attaching a screenshot of the mechanic's text message. I called the detective who had handled a previous domestic disturbance report I’d filed against Logan months ago. I told him everything.
“We have units outside the restaurant already,” the detective’s voice crackled through the phone, steady and reassuring. “The mechanic called us twenty minutes ago. Stay inside. Do not let them leave.”
