An audio recording was displayed on the screen. "I have gotten hold of one of the calls, would you like me to play it?" Peter asked. Clara slowly nodded, "Yes please." Her eyes darting towards Jonah. His tensed state visible. Peter looked at everyone in the room before clicking the play button. A rush of static filled the room, then a clear, albeit distorted, voice emerged. It was the blackmailer.
“Well, well, well,” the voice said, its tone laced with amusement. “You have been busy. But you are not done yet.”
"What is that supposed to mean, we already have what you want. Just leave us alone." Jonah said anger visible in his voice. "Aren't you tired of the same script and back and forth each time I call you?" The blackmailer said nearly laughing. “What do you want now?” Jonah asked, his voice trembling with anger. “Ten million dollars,” the blackmailer replied, his voice cold. “And you have twenty four hours.”
"Ten million? That is outrageous!” Jonah exclaimed, his voice rising in panic. "For you, Yes. But for your billionaire boyfriend I am sure that would not be a problem." The blackmailer said. "You are not getting any penny from us ever again and you will rot in jail." Jonah said. “You will find a way. Or… you know what happens.” A sharp click ended the recording, leaving a heavy silence in its wake.
Jonah stood frozen, his face pale. The memory, so vividly replayed, was a brutal assault on his already fragile state. His breath hitched, and he gripped the arms of the chair in front of him, his knuckles white. Clara's hand gently rested on Jonah's shoulder.
"Jonah." She said softly, her voice filled with concern. "Are you alright?" Jonah slowly nodded, "I just need to sit down." He told her. His body shaking as he lowered himself into the seat he stood behind previously. Clara stared at the screen, biting her nails.
"Peter could you remove Jonah's voice let us just hear the recording again." She said to him. Peter nodded and went to work, the noise of the keyboard filling the study again.
"Done." Peter said as he played the recording. The voice sounded a lot more warped this time around.
"This voice barely sounds human." Elliot said observing.
"Yes it does not." Clara agreed. "Could you check for maybe any voice changing apps or anything used on this recording?" Clara asked. Peter nodded, "Well the person did use the app properly and it might be difficult to extract their real voice if there is any but I will see what I can do." Peter explained. Peter got to work again, opening multiple applications on the screen, clicking away at the keyboard.
Jonah stared into blank space numbly as they all waited for Peter. They watched him grow aggravated after trying one thing. Afterwards he sighed, his hands raised in kick defeat. "I could not get the whole recording but I was able to get three seconds where the app glitched." Peter told them.
"Could you play those three seconds?" Elliot asked intrigued. Peter pressed the play button and a high pitched voice filled the room. Clara's eyes widened.
"Are you sure what you extracted was accurate?" Clara asked. "One hundred percent." Peter answered. "Could you play it again?" She asked and Peter obliged. She turned to face Elliot and Jonah.
"Your blackmailer is female." A shocked look on her face. Jonah gave Elliot a knowing look. "No, no, don't tell me it is who I think it is." He said to Jonah. "I mean she was already acting weird we already suspected her." Jonah answered tired.
"And who are we talking about here?" Clara asked lightly. "Your sister Clara, Lila." Elliot answered sighing. Clara looked unfazed as if she had suspected her all along, "That does not explain the ridiculous amounts of money she was collecting." She said.
"Why does the amount of money she is collecting matters, she wants Elliot. She knows about Elliot and I, she wants to get rid of me." Jonah explained. "She does have a motive and now we have a some evidence." Clara said.
"I think we need more evidence though." Clara added.
"What other evidence do we need? Isn't it clear enough?" Jonah asked. "We can't for certain say it's her voice and the only other evidence we have is eye witnesses reports that is all. She will be able to play her games and deny it all." Elliot explained supporting Clara.
"Well I think we can stop her with the little evidence we have. She is obsessed with Elliot, she already tried removing me as an obstacle. It won't take long before she comes for you Clara." Jonah told Clara his chest heaving in anger. Clara looked at Jonah silent, she knew he was hurting but this behavior would not get them anywhere.
"I know you want to act rashly as revenge on everyone who has hurt you. But listen to me, she is my sister Jonah, this is not enough to do anything yet." Clara explained.
"But can't we at least try." Jonah said his voice cracking as he struggled with tears. "Clara found the evidence, she is on our side. We just have to trust her when she says we need more." Elliot said trying to reassure Jonah.
"How long is it going to take to get us more. When I die? When this disease has ravaged my body?" Jonah asked with tears rolling down his cheeks. "No Jonah we don't have to wait that long anymore we are so close. You will get justice, remember I am on your side." Clara explained. Jonah slowly nodded the tears running down his cheeks like torrents.
"Let us go home Jonah." Elliot said to him as he helped his shaking body up from the chair and towards the door. Clara followed them from the study, Elliot stopped briefly at the front door turning to look at Clara. They shared a knowing look and Clara nodded as they exited the house. She stood in the foyer, for a while staring at the door while deep in thought. Her feet slowly padded through the house mindlessly as she continued in deep thought.