April 8, 2024 • 12 mins
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome back to Vanishing Shadows. Inthe last episode, there's money here,
a plane ticket and my friends contactdetails. Start your life overly and forget
you ever knew Carter Summer or mywife. I take the envelope because if
I don't, if I refuse togo quietly, he will dispose of me
(00:24):
like he did Jesse. You'll neverhear from me again, I say,
as I stand, I promise youthat I walk briskly back to my car,
eyes forward, shoulder squared. Itis only when I reach for the
door handle that I realize I amshaking. After months on the street,
(00:47):
feeling hopeless and afraid, I suddenlyhave options. I have money, two
plane tickets, and a job waitingfor me. I can rebuild my life
as leeg Oliver, or I canstart a new one as Kelly Wilcox.
It is a heady feeling, bothexciting and terrifying. My escape is so
(01:08):
close, but I am not freeor safe yet, and I am not
sure who to trust, Hazel orher husband. I park my car at
a meter and slide my finger underthe flap of Benjamin Lavall's envelope. Inside
I find a flight itinerary, adirect flight to Austin, leaving tonight.
(01:32):
It's just a four hour journey,non stop, to a new life.
There is a stack of money theretoo, hundred dollar bills glancing around to
ensure no one is watching me.I thumb through them. Twenty five grand.
With the money from Hazel, Ihave seventy five thousand dollars. It's
a lot enough to rebuild, almostenough to repay my debt to Damon if
(01:57):
he found me shoving the envelope intothe canvas bag. I get out of
the car and slip into the familiarcafe. I pay at the counter,
then head directly to my computer.This place feels comfortable now, but it
will be the last time I visit, because while my destination may be unknown,
I know I can't stay in Seattle. My freedom, even my life,
(02:23):
is in jeopardy here. I havepromised to disappear, and I plan
to. My first online search isthe restaurant in Austin. It is indeed
successful, well known, and probablya good opportunity for me. I could
regain some semblance of my old life, re establish a relationship with my family.
(02:45):
Teresa wants nothing to do with me, but one day Clark will betray
her again, He'll have another affair, and then she will need me.
But if I go to Texas,Benjamin Laval will keep tabs on me.
He'll make sure I keep my mouthshut, and if he ever needs to,
he will send me down for Jesse'smurder. If the body ever resurfaces,
(03:07):
or Sean Sumner reports his brother's murder, Benjamin will come for me.
As long as that man knows whereI am, I will never stop looking
over my shoulder. My next searchis Panama. I know little about the
country except for its famous shipping canaland what Hazel told me that it's the
(03:27):
perfect place to hide from the past, to use cash to start your life
over. I learn that the CentralAmerican country is located on an Isthmus,
the bridge of land that connects Northand South America. It is bordered by
Costa Rica to the west and Columbiato the southeast. The Caribbean Sea touches
the north coast and to the southof the Pacific Ocean. It is beautiful
(03:51):
and prosperous and culturally vibrant. Obviously, I can't fly into a foreign country
with a bag full of cash,but I've I notice bitcoin ATM scattered around
the city and setting up an onlinecrypto while it only takes me a few
minutes. If I choose this plan, I can deposit my cash at an
ATM here and claim it when Igets to Panama, and then I can
(04:15):
start my life over, get ajob at a restaurant in Panama City,
or open my own place, maybebuild a little fish shack on the Caribbean.
Thanks to Hazel and Benjamin, Ihave enough money now, but Hazel
will know where I am, knowthat I'm living as Kelly Wilcox and Hazel
Laval can't be trusted. She iscapable of having her husband murdered and setting
(04:39):
me up for it. So whodo I fear the most? Which life
is the safest? Or do Istart over on my own terms, take
this money and build a brand newlife somewhere else. A seaside village in
Scotland, a stylish arrondissement in Paris, a funky neighborhood in Berlin. I
(05:00):
sees journal and pen are still inmy canvas bag. I dig them out
and open the notebook full of exerciseprograms, and then I bring up my
flight options. If I choose Panama, when can I leave. It is
a long flight, over eleven hours, but the distance makes me feel safer.
I write down the first flight,leaving tonight with a three hour stop
(05:24):
in Houston. It departs just afterthe Austin flight. My next option is
not until tomorrow. If I spendone more night at the motel, will
I be safe? As I peruseanother travel site, Jesse's pen rolls off
the table and lands with a heavyclunk. Reaching down to retrieve it,
(05:44):
I realize it is broken, thetop half completely severed from the bottom.
Picking up the two pieces, Inotice that one half of the pen contains
a USB stick. I have neverseen this before, a working pen with
a concealed thumb drive, but it'sprobably not that unusual. Out of curiosity,
I plug the storage device into thecomputer. I'm expecting more exercise routines,
(06:10):
maybe a nutrition schedule, but twoaudio files pop up. They are
labeled simply Tape one and Tape two. My brow furrows as I inspect the
pen further. It's an actual pen, but I notice a small microphone embedded
in it, and the clip isan on slash off switch. I have
(06:32):
heard of these covert recording devices.These spy gadgets. They are sometimes marketed
to students to record class lectures,but they're perfect for surreptitious taping. So
what and who had Jesse recorded?I need to listen to these files,
but not here, not in public. I need headphones. There were a
(06:58):
pair in my trunk at one point, but I haven't seen them since my
iPhone was stolen? And would theybe compatible with this computer. Scanning the
room, I see a guy seatednear the door wearing earbuds plugged into the
desktop, with the canvas bag inhand. I approach him, excuse me,
I tap the desk to get hisattention. His eyes dart up to
(07:20):
me and he quickly closes his onscreenwindow. Whatever he was perusing poor and
probably he doesn't want me to seeit. Yeah, he's instantly weary of
me, and for good reason.My clothes are worn and rumpled, despite
the night at the hotel. Iam exhausted, wearing my stress and fear
(07:42):
on my face. Can I borrowyour earbuds? I'll give you fifty bucks,
he snorts, You serious? Ionly need them for a few minutes,
half an hour at the most.I'm using them, he says,
clocking my desperation, make it ahundred fine. I fish in the canvas
(08:03):
bag and remove two fifties. Ishould have asked for more, he mutters
as he unplugs the cord and handsthem over. He could have asked for
two, three, even five hundreddollars. I am that curious, I
am that desperate. Back at thecomputer, my hands fumble to plug the
headphone jack into the socket, wipingthe earbuds vigorously on my shirt. I
(08:28):
insert them into my ears and thenI hit play on the first audio recording.
Within seconds, I wish I hadn'tbecause what I am hearing makes my
blood run cold and my stomach turn. I am listening to a crime being
committed, and in the thick ofit, Jesse's voice is clear, concise,
(08:48):
and inhuman. I realize this isnot Jesse at all. This is
Carter Sumner, the criminal who beatin elderly man for no reason, the
defendant who sent his brother to jailfor his own actions. Carter is was
a sociopath, a monster, amaster manipulator. Jesse never existed. Hazel
(09:16):
didn't know him any better than Idid. With a trembling hand, I
click on the second audio file.It is just as heartless, just as
gruesome. I keep listening as asharp pain stabs my temple, the circuitry
of my brain overloading with the coldblooded violence I am exposed to. Why
did Carter record this? It incriminateshim, but not only him, and
(09:41):
I realize this was insurance because Carter'svoice is not the only one captured here.
Now I know that I am ingreater danger than I ever realized.
Even with Carter gone, I amnot safe because the other voice is that
of a murder or two. Andif that person finds out I've heard these
recordings, I will be killed.Removing the earbuds, I try to study
(10:07):
my breathing to calm my fluttering heart, but my body feels beyond my control.
Nerves tingling, pulse, racing limbs, paralyzed by the shock of what
I have just witnessed. Everything Ithought I knew is wrong. Everyone I
know has lied to me, andI have brushed up against pure evil.
(10:30):
But if I leave now, rightnow, I can save myself. There
is no time for strategy or analysis. Forcing myself to move, I drop
the thumb drive into my bag.Then I return the earbuds and hurry out
of the cafe. In my car, I lock all the doors and pull
onto the street, my tires chirpingon the pavement. My eyes start to
(10:52):
the rear view mirror, afraid thatI am being followed, terrify that someone
will realize what I have just heard. The thumb drive in my bag feels
like a bomb, a beacon,a grenade. I must get rid of
it fast, get it out ofmy possession. But what I do with
it will affect so many people,change their lives forever, and it will
(11:18):
change mine. Because there is onething I have gained clarity on. There's
no one I can trust. Ifyou want to listen to the entire part
three of this story, sign upon Apple Podcasts and experience the full magic
of this captivating tale.
Welcome back to Vanishing Shadows. Inthe last episode, there's money here,
a plane ticket and my friends contactdetails. Start your life overly and forget
you ever knew Carter Summer or mywife. I take the envelope because if
I don't, if I refuse togo quietly, he will dispose of me
(00:24):
like he did Jesse. You'll neverhear from me again, I say,
as I stand, I promise youthat I walk briskly back to my car,
eyes forward, shoulder squared. Itis only when I reach for the
door handle that I realize I amshaking. After months on the street,
(00:47):
feeling hopeless and afraid, I suddenlyhave options. I have money, two
plane tickets, and a job waitingfor me. I can rebuild my life
as leeg Oliver, or I canstart a new one as Kelly Wilcox.
It is a heady feeling, bothexciting and terrifying. My escape is so
(01:08):
close, but I am not freeor safe yet, and I am not
sure who to trust, Hazel orher husband. I park my car at
a meter and slide my finger underthe flap of Benjamin Lavall's envelope. Inside
I find a flight itinerary, adirect flight to Austin, leaving tonight.
(01:32):
It's just a four hour journey,non stop, to a new life.
There is a stack of money theretoo, hundred dollar bills glancing around to
ensure no one is watching me.I thumb through them. Twenty five grand.
With the money from Hazel, Ihave seventy five thousand dollars. It's
a lot enough to rebuild, almostenough to repay my debt to Damon if
(01:57):
he found me shoving the envelope intothe canvas bag. I get out of
the car and slip into the familiarcafe. I pay at the counter,
then head directly to my computer.This place feels comfortable now, but it
will be the last time I visit, because while my destination may be unknown,
I know I can't stay in Seattle. My freedom, even my life,
(02:23):
is in jeopardy here. I havepromised to disappear, and I plan
to. My first online search isthe restaurant in Austin. It is indeed
successful, well known, and probablya good opportunity for me. I could
regain some semblance of my old life, re establish a relationship with my family.
(02:45):
Teresa wants nothing to do with me, but one day Clark will betray
her again, He'll have another affair, and then she will need me.
But if I go to Texas,Benjamin Laval will keep tabs on me.
He'll make sure I keep my mouthshut, and if he ever needs to,
he will send me down for Jesse'smurder. If the body ever resurfaces,
(03:07):
or Sean Sumner reports his brother's murder, Benjamin will come for me.
As long as that man knows whereI am, I will never stop looking
over my shoulder. My next searchis Panama. I know little about the
country except for its famous shipping canaland what Hazel told me that it's the
(03:27):
perfect place to hide from the past, to use cash to start your life
over. I learn that the CentralAmerican country is located on an Isthmus,
the bridge of land that connects Northand South America. It is bordered by
Costa Rica to the west and Columbiato the southeast. The Caribbean Sea touches
the north coast and to the southof the Pacific Ocean. It is beautiful
(03:51):
and prosperous and culturally vibrant. Obviously, I can't fly into a foreign country
with a bag full of cash,but I've I notice bitcoin ATM scattered around
the city and setting up an onlinecrypto while it only takes me a few
minutes. If I choose this plan, I can deposit my cash at an
ATM here and claim it when Igets to Panama, and then I can
(04:15):
start my life over, get ajob at a restaurant in Panama City,
or open my own place, maybebuild a little fish shack on the Caribbean.
Thanks to Hazel and Benjamin, Ihave enough money now, but Hazel
will know where I am, knowthat I'm living as Kelly Wilcox and Hazel
Laval can't be trusted. She iscapable of having her husband murdered and setting
(04:39):
me up for it. So whodo I fear the most? Which life
is the safest? Or do Istart over on my own terms, take
this money and build a brand newlife somewhere else. A seaside village in
Scotland, a stylish arrondissement in Paris, a funky neighborhood in Berlin. I
(05:00):
sees journal and pen are still inmy canvas bag. I dig them out
and open the notebook full of exerciseprograms, and then I bring up my
flight options. If I choose Panama, when can I leave. It is
a long flight, over eleven hours, but the distance makes me feel safer.
I write down the first flight,leaving tonight with a three hour stop
(05:24):
in Houston. It departs just afterthe Austin flight. My next option is
not until tomorrow. If I spendone more night at the motel, will
I be safe? As I peruseanother travel site, Jesse's pen rolls off
the table and lands with a heavyclunk. Reaching down to retrieve it,
(05:44):
I realize it is broken, thetop half completely severed from the bottom.
Picking up the two pieces, Inotice that one half of the pen contains
a USB stick. I have neverseen this before, a working pen with
a concealed thumb drive, but it'sprobably not that unusual. Out of curiosity,
I plug the storage device into thecomputer. I'm expecting more exercise routines,
(06:10):
maybe a nutrition schedule, but twoaudio files pop up. They are
labeled simply Tape one and Tape two. My brow furrows as I inspect the
pen further. It's an actual pen, but I notice a small microphone embedded
in it, and the clip isan on slash off switch. I have
(06:32):
heard of these covert recording devices.These spy gadgets. They are sometimes marketed
to students to record class lectures,but they're perfect for surreptitious taping. So
what and who had Jesse recorded?I need to listen to these files,
but not here, not in public. I need headphones. There were a
(06:58):
pair in my trunk at one point, but I haven't seen them since my
iPhone was stolen? And would theybe compatible with this computer. Scanning the
room, I see a guy seatednear the door wearing earbuds plugged into the
desktop, with the canvas bag inhand. I approach him, excuse me,
I tap the desk to get hisattention. His eyes dart up to
(07:20):
me and he quickly closes his onscreenwindow. Whatever he was perusing poor and
probably he doesn't want me to seeit. Yeah, he's instantly weary of
me, and for good reason.My clothes are worn and rumpled, despite
the night at the hotel. Iam exhausted, wearing my stress and fear
(07:42):
on my face. Can I borrowyour earbuds? I'll give you fifty bucks,
he snorts, You serious? Ionly need them for a few minutes,
half an hour at the most.I'm using them, he says,
clocking my desperation, make it ahundred fine. I fish in the canvas
(08:03):
bag and remove two fifties. Ishould have asked for more, he mutters
as he unplugs the cord and handsthem over. He could have asked for
two, three, even five hundreddollars. I am that curious, I
am that desperate. Back at thecomputer, my hands fumble to plug the
headphone jack into the socket, wipingthe earbuds vigorously on my shirt. I
(08:28):
insert them into my ears and thenI hit play on the first audio recording.
Within seconds, I wish I hadn'tbecause what I am hearing makes my
blood run cold and my stomach turn. I am listening to a crime being
committed, and in the thick ofit, Jesse's voice is clear, concise,
(08:48):
and inhuman. I realize this isnot Jesse at all. This is
Carter Sumner, the criminal who beatin elderly man for no reason, the
defendant who sent his brother to jailfor his own actions. Carter is was
a sociopath, a monster, amaster manipulator. Jesse never existed. Hazel
(09:16):
didn't know him any better than Idid. With a trembling hand, I
click on the second audio file.It is just as heartless, just as
gruesome. I keep listening as asharp pain stabs my temple, the circuitry
of my brain overloading with the coldblooded violence I am exposed to. Why
did Carter record this? It incriminateshim, but not only him, and
(09:41):
I realize this was insurance because Carter'svoice is not the only one captured here.
Now I know that I am ingreater danger than I ever realized.
Even with Carter gone, I amnot safe because the other voice is that
of a murder or two. Andif that person finds out I've heard these
recordings, I will be killed.Removing the earbuds, I try to study
(10:07):
my breathing to calm my fluttering heart, but my body feels beyond my control.
Nerves tingling, pulse, racing limbs, paralyzed by the shock of what
I have just witnessed. Everything Ithought I knew is wrong. Everyone I
know has lied to me, andI have brushed up against pure evil.
(10:30):
But if I leave now, rightnow, I can save myself. There
is no time for strategy or analysis. Forcing myself to move, I drop
the thumb drive into my bag.Then I return the earbuds and hurry out
of the cafe. In my car, I lock all the doors and pull
onto the street, my tires chirpingon the pavement. My eyes start to
(10:52):
the rear view mirror, afraid thatI am being followed, terrify that someone
will realize what I have just heard. The thumb drive in my bag feels
like a bomb, a beacon,a grenade. I must get rid of
it fast, get it out ofmy possession. But what I do with
it will affect so many people,change their lives forever, and it will
(11:18):
change mine. Because there is onething I have gained clarity on. There's
no one I can trust. Ifyou want to listen to the entire part
three of this story, sign upon Apple Podcasts and experience the full magic
of this captivating tale.
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