Most repeated the same details. His car had been found against a stone barrier
shortly after midnight. He had suffered a head injury and remained unconscious after emergency surgery.
One article included a photograph from a charity gala held three weeks before the crash.
Ethan stood beside Jason and Vivian.
On Ethan’s other side was a woman with dark red hair.
The caption identified her as Dr. Mara Ellis, director of the Thornton Foundation’s medical research program.
I enlarged the image.
She appeared to be in her early thirties. Composed. Intelligent. Her hand rested lightly on Ethan’s arm.
I opened another article.
This one was dated two months after the accident.
DR. MARA ELLIS RESIGNS FROM THORNTON FOUNDATION.
The article said she had stepped down for personal reasons and relocated overseas.
No interview.
No farewell statement.
Nothing after that.
A knock sounded at my door.
I quickly slipped the receipt beneath my phone.
