The stranger appeared to be in her late fifties. She wore a dark coat and held a small leather handbag.
Olivia studied the image.
"Who is she?"
Margaret swallowed.
"Her name was Eleanor."
"Eleanor who?"
"Eleanor Collins."
Thomas immediately straightened.
"Richard's mother?"
Margaret nodded.
Olivia looked from one face to another.
"Why was Daniel standing with Richard's mother?"
Margaret placed the photograph on the table.
"Because Eleanor came to see me six months before Daniel died. She was frightened. She told me that her son had become involved with people who were dangerous. She believed Richard had been stealing money from Daniel's company for years."
Thomas shook his head.
"But Richard was Daniel's best friend."
"That's what everyone believed," Margaret replied.
"Why would Eleanor come to you?"
"Because she knew I would believe her."
Margaret paused.
"She had known Daniel since he was a child. When his father died, she was one of the few people who helped me. She never forgot how Daniel looked after Richard when they were boys."
Olivia stared at the photograph.
"What happened to her?"
Margaret looked toward the dark window.
"She died two months after this picture was taken."
"How?"
"Her car was found near the river. The police said she had lost control."
Thomas slowly stepped backward.
"Another accident?"
Margaret nodded.
The room became unbearably quiet.
Olivia felt a chill travel down her spine.
Two people connected to Richard Collins had died under suspicious circumstances.
One was Daniel.
The other was his business partner's mother.
"Why didn't you tell the police?" Olivia asked.
"I tried."
"What do you mean?"
Margaret opened the folder and removed another document.
"This is the report I received from the investigator I hired."
Olivia took it.
The report contained several photographs, bank statements, and copies of emails. Near the bottom was a picture of Richard entering a private parking garage.
A date was written beneath it.
It was the same date Daniel died.
Olivia stared at the image.
"That's Richard."
Thomas leaned over her shoulder.
"And that's Daniel's car."
The photograph showed Richard standing beside a black sedan. Behind him, Daniel's silver vehicle was parked near the entrance.
Olivia's hands began to shake.
"Why was he there?"
Margaret answered quietly.
"Because Daniel had arranged to meet him that evening."
Olivia looked up.
"Where?"
"At the office."
"Then why did the police say Daniel was alone?"
"Because Richard told them he had gone home hours earlier."
Thomas grabbed the document.
"That's a lie."
Margaret nodded.
"And I believe Daniel discovered that lie before he died."
For several seconds, Olivia could not speak.
Then she asked the question that had haunted her for three years.
"Do you think Richard killed my husband?"
Margaret looked directly into her eyes.
"I don't know, sweetheart. But I know Daniel was afraid of him. And I know Richard has spent the last three years making sure nobody asks the right questions."
Olivia slowly stood.
"Then we're going to find out what happened."
Margaret reached for her hand.
"Be careful. Richard is not the man Daniel thought he was."
Olivia looked down at the photograph.
"Neither am I."
For the first time that evening, her voice sounded determined rather than angry.
But before anyone could respond, a sound came from the front door.
Three slow knocks.
Everyone froze.
Thomas checked the clock.
It was 9:47 p.m.
"Are we expecting someone?" he whispered.
Margaret shook her head.
Olivia carefully placed the documents inside the folder.
Another three knocks followed.
This time, they were louder.
Thomas walked toward the hallway.
"Stay here."
He approached the front door and looked through the small glass panel.
His expression changed immediately.
He turned around.
"It's Richard."
Olivia's heart seemed to stop.
"What?"
"Richard Collins is standing outside."
Margaret stood up so quickly that her chair scraped against the floor.
"Don't open that door."
Thomas looked at her.
"Why?"
"Because he has no reason to be here tonight."
From the other side of the door came a familiar voice.
"Thomas? It's Richard. Open up, buddy."
Olivia slowly moved toward the hallway.
Richard's voice sounded friendly.
Almost cheerful.
"Come on. It's freezing out here."
Thomas looked at Olivia.
She shook her head.
"Don't."
But Richard knocked again.
"Olivia, I know you're in there."
Her stomach tightened.
How did he know?
Richard continued speaking.
"I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. I also brought something that belongs to Daniel."
Margaret's face turned pale.
"What did he bring?" Thomas whispered.
No one answered.
Then Richard slipped an envelope beneath the door.
It landed on the wooden floor.
"Open it," he said. "You'll understand."
Thomas picked up the envelope.
On the front, written in black ink, were four words.
FOR OLIVIA. FROM DANIEL.
Olivia stared at it.
Her husband had been dead for three years.
How could Richard possibly have something from him?
She slowly opened the envelope.
Inside was a photograph.
It showed Daniel sitting at a restaurant table, smiling at the camera.
Across from him sat Richard.
But there was something unusual about the picture.
Daniel was holding a newspaper dated the day after his supposed death.
Olivia looked at the date.
Her fingers went numb.
"This photograph was taken after the accident," she whispered.
Thomas stared at it.
"That's impossible."
Margaret covered her mouth.
From outside, Richard spoke again.
"Now you understand why I came."
Olivia stepped closer to the door.
"What are you talking about, Richard?"
There was a long pause.
Then his voice became quieter.
"Your husband wasn't the man you thought he was."
Olivia's eyes filled with tears.
"Don't you dare speak about Daniel."
Richard sighed.
"I know this is difficult. But there are things about his final days that you deserve to know."
"Then tell me."
"Not through a door."
"Why should I trust you?"
Richard did not answer immediately.
Then he said something that made Margaret grip the kitchen counter.
"Because Eleanor was right. And Daniel was trying to protect you from me."
The footsteps outside began to move away.
Thomas rushed toward the window.
"Richard! Wait!"
But the front door remained closed.