Chapter 16 - Dylan Calls
Dylan called me from an encrypted number.
Three weeks after my release.
His voice sounded relaxed.
“You look good on television.”
“Where are you?”
“You always go straight to evidence.”
“You sent me to prison.”
“You sent yourself there when you wouldn’t leave things alone.”
“The foundation money?”
“Family money.”
“It belonged to sick children.”
“They would have spent it anyway.”
I recorded everything.
He probably knew.
He wanted to talk.
Wanted me to understand his version.
“You ruined my life after Caleb died,” he said.
“I never blamed you publicly.”
“You looked at me.”
“I was sixteen.”
“You knew.”
“I knew you were driving.”
“You knew it was my fault.”
“No. Mom and Dad told me Walter caused it.”
He became quiet.
For fifteen years, Dylan had believed I silently judged him.
In reality, our parents’ lie had separated us both from the truth.
“You really didn’t know?” he asked.
“No.”
His breathing changed.
For one second, I heard the frightened teenager beneath the criminal.
Then he hardened again.
“You still took everything.”
“What did I take?”
“Dad trusted you with compliance. Mom listened when you questioned me. Everyone acted like you were the good one.”
“So you framed me.”
“You were already digging.”
“Nora lost her baby.”
“That was happening anyway.”
The cruelty in his tone erased any remaining pity.
“Where are you, Dylan?”
He laughed.
“Still trying to save everyone?”
“No.”
“What, then?”
“Making sure you hear the sentence when it comes.”
He disconnected.
Investigators traced the call to Costa Rica.
By the time authorities reached the location, he was gone.
May you like
But he left behind one mistake.
A receipt linked to Daniel Rowe.
