Chapter 9: The Woman in## Chapter 9: The Woman in the Photograph
I stared at the photograph the Photograph
I stared at the photograph in Detective Pike's hand.
My mother stood outside the in Detective Pike's hand.
My mother stood outside the hospital wearing the blue cardigan she had been hospital wearing the blue cardigan she had been buried in.
Her hair was pinned behind her ears. Her face looked pale, but she buried in.
Her hair was pinned behind her ears. Her face looked pale, but she was upright, one hand resting on the metal railing beside the entrance.
Lorraine stood next to her.
They was upright, one hand resting on the metal railing beside the entrance.
Lorraine stood next to her.
They were not smiling.
And according to the date printed on the back, the photograph had been taken three days after my mother's death.
" were not smiling.
And according to the date printed on the back, the photograph had been taken three days after my mother's death.
"That's impossible," I whispered.
Pike closed the study door behind him.
"Tell me what you seeThat's impossible," I whispered.
Pike closed the study door behind him.
"Tell me what you see.""
"My mother.""
"Are you certain?""
I looked at him sharply.
"Of course I'm.""
"My mother.""
"Are you certain?""
I looked at him sharply.
"Of course I'm certain. I've known her face my entire life.""
"And the other certain. I've known her face my entire life.""
"And the other woman?""
"My aunt Lorraine.""
He placed the photograph on the desk beside the blue notebook.
"Then explain woman?""
"My aunt Lorraine.""
He placed the photograph on the desk beside the blue notebook.
"Then explain why the hospital records show your mother died on November fourteenth, while this photograph appears to show her alive why the hospital records show your mother died on November fourteenth, while this photograph appears to show her alive on November seventeenth.""
I couldn't answer.
My mother had been buried on November nineteenth on November seventeenth.""
I couldn't answer.
My mother had been buried on November nineteenth. I remembered the funeral, the rain, the smell of wet flowers, and the way Lorraine had held my arm. I remembered the funeral, the rain, the smell of wet flowers, and the way Lorraine had held my arm while I struggled to remain standing beside the grave.
I remembered lowering a white rose onto the coffin.
I while I struggled to remain standing beside the grave.
I remembered lowering a white rose onto the coffin.
I remembered going home afterward and sleeping on the living-room floor because I couldn't bear to lie in the bed remembered going home afterward and sleeping on the living-room floor because I couldn't bear to lie in the bed my mother had made for me.
There had been no doubt about her death.
I had seen her body my mother had made for me.
There had been no doubt about her death.
I had seen her body.
"Could the date be wrong?"" I asked.
"Possibly.""
"Could.
"Could the date be wrong?"" I asked.
"Possibly.""
"Could it be a different year?""
"Possibly.""
"Then why are you asking me these questions?""
Pike took it be a different year?""
"Possibly.""
"Then why are you asking me these questions?""
Pike took a second photograph from his folder.
This one showed the hospital entrance from a different angle. The date had a second photograph from his folder.
This one showed the hospital entrance from a different angle. The date had been printed in the lower corner by an old film camera.
November 17, 2011.
My mother stood near the entrance, holding been printed in the lower corner by an old film camera.
November 17, 2011.
My mother stood near the entrance, holding a brown envelope.
Lorraine was looking over her shoulder.
And behind them, partly obscured by the glass a brown envelope.
Lorraine was looking over her shoulder.
And behind them, partly obscured by the glass doors, stood Daniel.
I gripped the edge of the desk.
"Where did you get these?""
"They doors, stood Daniel.
I gripped the edge of the desk.
"Where did you get these?""
"They were recovered from an old evidence box belonging to a private investigator your father hired.""
" were recovered from an old evidence box belonging to a private investigator your father hired.""
"Why weren't they investigated?""
"They were. The investigator interviewed several hospitalWhy weren't they investigated?""
"They were. The investigator interviewed several hospital employees, but the case never established that your mother was alive on the sevent employees, but the case never established that your mother was alive on the seventeenth. The photographs were considered inconclusive because the original negatives were missing.""
"Then why showeenth. The photographs were considered inconclusive because the original negatives were missing.""
"Then why show them to me now?""
"Because the photographs were submitted to our department again this morning.""
" them to me now?""
"Because the photographs were submitted to our department again this morning.""
"By whom?""
Pike looked at me.
"Your aunt Lorraine.""
For a moment, IBy whom?""
Pike looked at me.
"Your aunt Lorraine.""
For a moment, I thought I had misunderstood him.
"Lorraine gave you these?""
"She called the station shortly thought I had misunderstood him.
"Lorraine gave you these?""
"She called the station shortly after we received the report of the disturbance at Margaret Ellis's house. She claimed she had evidence that Elliot Hayes was after we received the report of the disturbance at Margaret Ellis's house. She claimed she had evidence that Elliot Hayes was involved in an attempt to conceal financial records connected to your mother's death.""
I stared at the involved in an attempt to conceal financial records connected to your mother's death.""
I stared at the photograph.
"My aunt is accusing my father?""
"That's what she says.""
"After sending Daniel to photograph.
"My aunt is accusing my father?""
"That's what she says.""
"After sending Daniel to Margaret's house to steal the evidence?""
Pike's expression tightened.
"Do you have proof Daniel was acting on Lorraine's behalf?""
"Margaret told me.""
"Is Margaret's house to steal the evidence?""
Pike's expression tightened.
"Do you have proof Daniel was acting on Lorraine's behalf?""
"Margaret told me.""
"Is there a recording of that conversation?""
"No.""
"Did Margaret see Lorraine there a recording of that conversation?""
"No.""
"Did Margaret see Lorraine instruct him?""
"No.""
He paused.
"Then we need to establish what actually happened before we make instruct him?""
"No.""
He paused.
"Then we need to establish what actually happened before we make assumptions.""
I wanted to scream.
Instead, I picked up the photograph and looked at my mother's assumptions.""
I wanted to scream.
Instead, I picked up the photograph and looked at my mother's face again.
There was something in her expression I had never noticed before.
Fear.
She wasn't looking at the face again.
There was something in her expression I had never noticed before.
Fear.
She wasn't looking at the camera.
She was looking at someone standing just outside the frame.
Someone who had made her afraid.
"Detect camera.
She was looking at someone standing just outside the frame.
Someone who had made her afraid.
"Detective," I said quietly, "what if my mother didn't die when the hospital said she did?""
Pikeive," I said quietly, "what if my mother didn't die when the hospital said she did?""
Pike studied me.
"That's a serious possibility to raise. But we need evidence before we can treat it as anything studied me.
"That's a serious possibility to raise. But we need evidence before we can treat it as anything more than a question.""
"Then let's find it.""
He nodded toward the papers scattered across the desk.
"We more than a question.""
"Then let's find it.""
He nodded toward the papers scattered across the desk.
"We'll secure the documents from the clock, collect Margaret'll secure the documents from the clock, collect Margaret's statement, and request a fresh review of the hospital records. We'll also examine the photographs for's statement, and request a fresh review of the hospital records. We'll also examine the photographs for authenticity.""
"And Daniel?""
"We're looking for him.""
"What about Lorraine?""
"We'll interview her.""
I looked down at authenticity.""
"And Daniel?""
"We're looking for him.""
"What about Lorraine?""
"We'll interview her.""
I looked down at the photograph again.
"No," I said.
Pike frowned.
"No?""
"I the photograph again.
"No," I said.
Pike frowned.
"No?""
"I want to speak to her first.""
"Absolutely not.""
"She's my aunt.""
"That want to speak to her first.""
"Absolutely not.""
"She's my aunt.""
"That doesn't make her safe.""
"She helped raise me after my mother died. She came to my school plays. She held doesn't make her safe.""
"She helped raise me after my mother died. She came to my school plays. She held my daughter when she was born.
If she's involved in this, I deserve to hear the my daughter when she was born. If she's involved in this, I deserve to hear the truth from her.""
Pike considered me for a moment.
Then he said, "If you speak to truth from her.""
Pike considered me for a moment.
Then he said, "If you speak to her, you do it with an officer present. You don't arrange a private meeting, and you don't tell her what evidence we have.""
I nodded.
He her, you do it with an officer present. You don't arrange a private meeting, and you don't tell her what evidence we have.""
I nodded.
He gave me his card.
"Call me before you do anything.""
I promised I would.
I was lying.
gave me his card.
"Call me before you do anything.""
I promised I would.
I was lying.
Not because I wanted to put myself in danger.
Because I knew Lorraine would never tell me the truth ifNot because I wanted to put myself in danger.
Because I knew Lorraine would never tell me the truth if she believed the police were already waiting to arrest her.
And because I had spent fifteen years being she believed the police were already waiting to arrest her.
And because I had spent fifteen years being the last person in my family to know anything important.
I was finished waiting for the last person in my family to know anything important.
I was finished waiting for permission to ask questions.
Lorraine answered her front door at six-fifteen that permission to ask questions.
Lorraine answered her front door at six-fifteen that evening.
She wore a cream blouse and dark trousers, her silver hair arranged neatly around her face. A evening.
She wore a cream blouse and dark trousers, her silver hair arranged neatly around her face. A pot of soup simmered somewhere inside the house, and the familiar smell of rosemary drifted through the hallway.
For pot of soup simmered somewhere inside the house, and the familiar smell of rosemary drifted through the hallway.
For a second, I was ten years old again, standing in her kitchen while she helped me with my homework.
Then a second, I was ten years old again, standing in her kitchen while she helped me with my homework.
Then I remembered the photograph.
Three days after my mother supposedly died.
And Daniel standing I remembered the photograph.
Three days after my mother supposedly died.
And Daniel standing behind her.
"Nessa," she said.
Her eyes moved toward the street.
"Where behind her.
"Nessa," she said.
Her eyes moved toward the street.
"Where's your car?""
"I parked around the corner.""
"Why?""
"I wanted to walk.""
She's your car?""
"I parked around the corner.""
"Why?""
"I wanted to walk.""
She studied me.
"Is something wrong?""
I almost laughed.
"Can I come in?""
She studied me.
"Is something wrong?""
I almost laughed.
"Can I come in?""
She stepped aside.
"Of course.""
The house looked exactly as I remembered it. Family photographs covered the mantel stepped aside.
"Of course.""
The house looked exactly as I remembered it. Family photographs covered the mantelpiece. A knitted blanket lay across the sofa.
The old clock above the fireplace tickedpiece. A knitted blanket lay across the sofa. The old clock above the fireplace ticked steadily, marking the seconds as though nothing had ever happened here.
Lorraine led steadily, marking the seconds as though nothing had ever happened here.
Lorraine led me into the kitchen.
"Would you like some tea?""
"No.""
She stopped beside me into the kitchen.
"Would you like some tea?""
"No.""
She stopped beside the kettle.
"You're angry.""
"Yes.""
"Is this about Elliot?""
" the kettle.
"You're angry.""
"Yes.""
"Is this about Elliot?""
"Partly.""
She looked away.
"I knew this would happen eventually.""
"WhatPartly.""
She looked away.
"I knew this would happen eventually.""
"What would happen?""
"Your father would come back and fill your head with stories.""
I placed would happen?""
"Your father would come back and fill your head with stories.""
I placed the photograph on the kitchen table.
"Is this one of his stories?""
Lorraine looked down the photograph on the kitchen table.
"Is this one of his stories?""
Lorraine looked down.
The change in her face was immediate.
Her hand slipped from the kettle's handle.
For several.
The change in her face was immediate.
Her hand slipped from the kettle's handle.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Then she sat down.
"Where did you get that?""
"Answer the question.""
She picked up the photograph with seconds, she said nothing.
Then she sat down.
"Where did you get that?""
"Answer the question.""
She picked up the photograph with trembling fingers.
"Your mother was very ill.""
"That isn't what I asked.""
"She trembling fingers.
"Your mother was very ill.""
"That isn't what I asked.""
"She was confused. She wasn't thinking clearly.""
"Was she alive on November seventeenth?""
Lorraine closed her eyes.
"I was confused. She wasn't thinking clearly.""
"Was she alive on November seventeenth?""
Lorraine closed her eyes.
"I don't know.""
"You were standing beside her.""
"That photograph could have been taken earlier.""
"The date is printed don't know.""
"You were standing beside her.""
"That photograph could have been taken earlier.""
"The date is printed on it.""
"Dates can be wrong.""
"That's exactly what Detective Pike said.""
Her head snapped up.
"You spoke to the police?""
"Yes.""
She put on it.""
"Dates can be wrong.""
"That's exactly what Detective Pike said.""
Her head snapped up.
"You spoke to the police?""
"Yes.""
She put the photograph down.
"Oh, Nessa.""
There was genuine sadness in her voice.
For the photograph down.
"Oh, Nessa.""
There was genuine sadness in her voice.
For one terrible moment, I wanted to believe that she was still the woman who had held me at one terrible moment, I wanted to believe that she was still the woman who had held me at my mother's funeral.
Then she reached across the table and took my hand.
"Your father has always been dangerous my mother's funeral.
Then she reached across the table and took my hand.
"Your father has always been dangerous. He knows how to make people doubt the people who love them.""
I withdrew my hand.
"Did you give. He knows how to make people doubt the people who love them.""
I withdrew my hand.
"Did you give Daniel money the week my mother died?""
Lorraine went still.
Daniel money the week my mother died?""
Lorraine went still.
"Where did you hear that?""
"Did you?""
She"Where did you hear that?""
"Did you?""
She looked toward the window.
"Daniel was helping with looked toward the window.
"Daniel was helping with some financial matters.""
"What matters?""
"Things your mother had left unfinished.""
"Like what?""
"Accounts. Bills. Legal documents.""
"Why would he need money?""
"Because he was doing some financial matters.""
"What matters?""
"Things your mother had left unfinished.""
"Like what?""
"Accounts. Bills. Legal documents.""
"Why would he need money?""
"Because he was doing work for the family.""
I leaned forward.
"Was he working for you?""
Her lips tightened.
"Your mother was my sister. I did everything I could to help her.""
"Then why were you standing outside the hospital with Daniel three days after she supposedly died?""
Lorraine looked down at the photograph.
And then, finally, she said something that made me question everything I had believed about my mother's last days.
"Because your mother asked me to.""
I stared at her.
work for the family.""
I leaned forward.
"Was he working for you?""
Her lips tightened.
"Your mother was my sister. I did everything I could to help her.""
"Then why were you standing outside the hospital with Daniel three days after she supposedly died?""
Lorraine looked down at the photograph.
And then, finally, she said something that made me question everything I had believed about my mother's last days.
"Because your mother asked me to.""
I stared at her.
"What?""
"She asked me to meet her there.""
"Why?""
"She wanted to talk.""
"What?""
"She asked me to meet her there.""
"Why?""
"She wanted to talk.""
"About what?""
Lorraine's eyes filled with tears.
"About Elliot.""
I gripped the table.
"Was"About what?""
Lorraine's eyes filled with tears.
"About Elliot.""
I gripped the table.
"Was she alive?""
Lorraine shook her head.
"I don't know.""
"You were there!""
"Your mother had she alive?""
Lorraine shook her head.
"I don't know.""
"You were there!""
"Your mother had been declared dead. I was told she had died. I believed she was gone.""
"Then why were you standing outside the hospital?""
She been declared dead. I was told she had died. I believed she was gone.""
"Then why were you standing outside the hospital?""
She pressed both hands against her face.
"Because I received a message from her.""
My heart pounded.
"What message pressed both hands against her face.
"Because I received a message from her.""
My heart pounded.
"What message?""
"A note. It was delivered to my house the morning after the funeral.""
?""
"A note. It was delivered to my house the morning after the funeral.""
I could barely speak.
"What did it say?""
Lorraine looked at me through her fingers.
"It said she hadI could barely speak.
"What did it say?""
Lorraine looked at me through her fingers.
"It said she had something important to tell me. Something she hadn't been able to say before she died.""
"And you went to meet her?""
something important to tell me. Something she hadn't been able to say before she died.""
"And you went to meet her?""
"Yes.""
"Did you see her?""
Lorraine began to cry.
"I saw someone.""
"Who?""
"I"Yes.""
"Did you see her?""
Lorraine began to cry.
"I saw someone.""
"Who?""
"I don't know.""
I stood so abruptly that the chair fell backward.
"You don't know?""
"It don't know.""
I stood so abruptly that the chair fell backward.
"You don't know?""
"It was dark. She was standing near the entrance. She wore your mother's coat, and she spoke was dark.
She was standing near the entrance. She wore your mother's coat, and she spoke like your mother, but when I approached her, she told me to leave.""
I stared at her.
like your mother, but when I approached her, she told me to leave.""
I stared at her.
"You're saying someone impersonated my mother?""
"I don't know what I'm saying!""
Her voice rose"You're saying someone impersonated my mother?""
"I don't know what I'm saying!""
Her voice rose sharply.
"I have spent fifteen years trying to understand what happened that night. I thought it sharply.
"I have spent fifteen years trying to understand what happened that night. I thought it was a cruel trick. I thought Elliot had arranged it to frighten me.
Then the was a cruel trick. I thought Elliot had arranged it to frighten me. Then the photographs appeared, and I realized I might have been wrong.""
I stared at the woman who photographs appeared, and I realized I might have been wrong.""
I stared at the woman who had helped bury my mother.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I was afraid.""
"Of whom?""
She looked at the kitchen had helped bury my mother.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I was afraid.""
"Of whom?""
She looked at the kitchen doorway.
Then she whispered, "Daniel.""
I felt sick.
"Why?""
"Because he told me your mother had left something behind. Something doorway.
Then she whispered, "Daniel.""
I felt sick.
"Why?""
"Because he told me your mother had left something behind. Something that could destroy all of us.""
"What was it?""
"A recording.""
The same word Margaret had used.
I sat that could destroy all of us.""
"What was it?""
"A recording.""
The same word Margaret had used.
I sat down slowly.
"Where is it?""
"I don't know.""
"You're lying.""
"I'm not!""
She down slowly.
"Where is it?""
"I don't know.""
"You're lying.""
"I'm not!""
She struck the table with her palm, making the teacups rattle.
"I have lied about many things, Nessa struck the table with her palm, making the teacups rattle.
"I have lied about many things, Nessa, but not about that. Daniel told me he had taken the recording from, but not about that. Daniel told me he had taken the recording from your mother's house.
He said it was gone. He promised me no one would ever hear it.""
your mother's house. He said it was gone. He promised me no one would ever hear it.""
"What was on it?""
Lorraine's face crumpled.
"Your mother had recorded us"What was on it?""
Lorraine's face crumpled.
"Your mother had recorded us.""
"Us?""
"Daniel and me.""
I stared at her.
"What were you talking about?""
She looked toward the window again.
"The money.""
I waited.""
"Us?""
"Daniel and me.""
I stared at her.
"What were you talking about?""
She looked toward the window again.
"The money.""
I waited.
She swallowed.
"We had moved money out of the family company. Daniel arranged the transfers. I signed the paperwork. We believed Elliot would be.
She swallowed.
"We had moved money out of the family company. Daniel arranged the transfers. I signed the paperwork. We believed Elliot would be blamed if anyone discovered what we'd done.""
"And my mother found out.""
"Yes.""
" blamed if anyone discovered what we'd done.""
"And my mother found out.""
"Yes.""
"She threatened to expose you.""
Lorraine nodded.
"She said she would go to the police. She said she wouldShe threatened to expose you.""
Lorraine nodded.
"She said she would go to the police. She said she would give them everything.""
"Then what happened?""
"I don't know.""
"Stop saying that!""
My give them everything.""
"Then what happened?""
"I don't know.""
"Stop saying that!""
My voice cracked.
"You know what happened to her. You know what happened to my father. You know why Daniel paid her hospital bill. And voice cracked.
"You know what happened to her. You know what happened to my father. You know why Daniel paid her hospital bill. And you know why you've spent fifteen years warning me away from the truth.""
Lorraine covered you know why you've spent fifteen years warning me away from the truth.""
Lorraine covered her mouth.
I leaned closer.
"Did you change my mother's medication?""
She shook her head violently.
"No.""
" her mouth.
I leaned closer.
"Did you change my mother's medication?""
She shook her head violently.
"No.""
"Did Daniel?""
"I don't know.""
"Did you ask him to?""
"No!""
Her denialDid Daniel?""
"I don't know.""
"Did you ask him to?""
"No!""
Her denial came so quickly that I almost believed her.
Then she whispered, "But I know came so quickly that I almost believed her.
Then she whispered, "But I know who did.""
I stopped breathing.
"Who?""
Lorraine looked directly into my eyes.
"Dr. Samuel who did.""
I stopped breathing.
"Who?""
Lorraine looked directly into my eyes.
"Dr. Samuel Whitmore.""
I felt the room tilt.
"The doctor who signed her death certificate?""
She nodded.
"He was the one who changed the medication order. Whitmore.""
I felt the room tilt.
"The doctor who signed her death certificate?""
She nodded.
"He was the one who changed the medication order. I saw him leave her room that night.""
"Why?""
"I don't know.""
" I saw him leave her room that night.""
"Why?""
"I don't know.""
"Did you report him?""
"No.""
"Why not?""
She began to sob.
"Because Daniel told me theDid you report him?""
"No.""
"Why not?""
She began to sob.
"Because Daniel told me the doctor was following orders. He said your mother was already dying, and that changing the dosage would only shorten doctor was following orders. He said your mother was already dying, and that changing the dosage would only shorten what was left.""
I recoiled from her.
"Orders from what was left.""
I recoiled from her.
"Orders from whom?""
Lorraine pressed her hands against her chest.
"I never asked.""
whom?""
Lorraine pressed her hands against her chest.
"I never asked.""
"You never asked?""
"I was afraid!""
I stared at her.
My aunt"You never asked?""
"I was afraid!""
I stared at her.
My aunt had spent fifteen years letting me believe my father had abandoned us. She had watched me grow up without had spent fifteen years letting me believe my father had abandoned us. She had watched me grow up without him.
She had held me when I cried over my mother's death. She had helped me plan my wedding to Daniel.
And she him. She had held me when I cried over my mother's death. She had helped me plan my wedding to Daniel.
And she had known that the people closest to me might have played a role in my mother's final had known that the people closest to me might have played a role in my mother's final hours.
I stood.
"You're coming with me to the police.""
Lorraine grabbed my wrist.
"No.""
hours.
I stood.
"You're coming with me to the police.""
Lorraine grabbed my wrist.
"No.""
"Let go.""
"Please, Nessa. You don't understand.""
"I understand that you knew something"Let go.""
"Please, Nessa. You don't understand.""
"I understand that you knew something about my mother's death and kept it from me.""
"I was trying to protect you!""
" about my mother's death and kept it from me.""
"I was trying to protect you!""
"From what?""
She opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
I pulled free.
"StayFrom what?""
She opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
I pulled free.
"Stay away from me.""
I walked toward the front door.
Behind me, Lorraine called my name.
"Nessa!""
I didn't away from me.""
I walked toward the front door.
Behind me, Lorraine called my name.
"Nessa!""
I didn't stop.
Then she shouted the one thing that made me turn around.
"Your mother stop.
Then she shouted the one thing that made me turn around.
"Your mother was alive when they took her out of the hospital!""
I froze.
The hallway seemed to narrow was alive when they took her out of the hospital!""
I froze.
The hallway seemed to narrow around me.
"What?""
Lorraine was standing beside the kitchen table, her face wet with tears.
"She was alive. I saw her breathing around me.
"What?""
Lorraine was standing beside the kitchen table, her face wet with tears.
"She was alive. I saw her breathing. I heard her speak.""
I gripped the doorframe.
"Then why was she declared dead?""
Lor. I heard her speak.""
I gripped the doorframe.
"Then why was she declared dead?""
Lorraine shook her head.
"I don't know. Daniel told me she had died. The hospital confirmed it. I believed them.""
"But you just said you saw her.""
raine shook her head.
"I don't know. Daniel told me she had died. The hospital confirmed it. I believed them.""
"But you just said you saw her.""
"I saw someone wearing her coat. I thought it was her. I heard her voice. She"I saw someone wearing her coat.
I thought it was her. I heard her voice. She told me to leave.""
I could barely breathe.
"Where was she?""
"Near the ambulance told me to leave.""
I could barely breathe.
"Where was she?""
"Near the ambulance entrance.""
"Was she alone?""
"No.""
"Who was with her?""
Lorraine looked at me.
And in entrance.""
"Was she alone?""
"No.""
"Who was with her?""
Lorraine looked at me.
And in her eyes, I saw something worse than guilt.
Recognition.
"Your father," she whispered.
I stumbled her eyes, I saw something worse than guilt.
Recognition.
"Your father," she whispered.
I stumbled backward.
"That's impossible.""
"He was standing beside her. He was alive, N backward.
"That's impossible.""
"He was standing beside her. He was alive, Nessa. He was there.""
"But my father was supposed to have left years earlier.""
"Iessa. He was there.""
"But my father was supposed to have left years earlier.""
"I know.""
"And my mother was supposed to be dead.""
"I know.""
I shook my head.
"No. You don't get know.""
"And my mother was supposed to be dead.""
"I know.""
I shook my head.
"No. You don't get to tell me this and then stop.""
Lorraine reached into the pocket of her blouse and pulled to tell me this and then stop.""
Lorraine reached into the pocket of her blouse and pulled out a small envelope.
"I kept this because I thought one day you would come asking.""
She handed it to me out a small envelope.
"I kept this because I thought one day you would come asking.""
She handed it to me.
Inside was a hospital wristband.
The name printed on it was Elaine Hayes.
Beneath the name.
Inside was a hospital wristband.
The name printed on it was Elaine Hayes.
Beneath the name was a date.
November 17, 2011.
And beneath that was a handwritten note.
*Transfer approved was a date.
November 17, 2011.
And beneath that was a handwritten note.
Transfer approved. Patient identity withheld.
I looked up.
"What does this mean?""
Lorraine shook her head.
"I. Patient identity withheld.*
I looked up.
"What does this mean?""
Lorraine shook her head.
"I don't know.""
But I no longer believed her.
I stepped outside and called Detective Pike.
don't know.""
But I no longer believed her.
I stepped outside and called Detective Pike.
He answered immediately.
"Nessa?""
"I need you to come to my aunt's house.""
"Why?""
"Because she justHe answered immediately.
"Nessa?""
"I need you to come to my aunt's house.""
"Why?""
"Because she just admitted that my mother may have been alive three days after her death was recorded.""
Silence.
Then Pike admitted that my mother may have been alive three days after her death was recorded.""
Silence.
Then Pike said, "Do not leave that house. I'm sending a unit said, "Do not leave that house. I'm sending a unit.""
I looked through the doorway at Lorraine.
She was standing in the kitchen, staring at the empty.""
I looked through the doorway at Lorraine.
She was standing in the kitchen, staring at the empty space where the photograph had been.
"Detective," I whispered, "I think my mother was taken somewhere space where the photograph had been.
"Detective," I whispered, "I think my mother was taken somewhere.""
"Taken where?""
I looked down at the wristband.
There was a.""
"Taken where?""
I looked down at the wristband.
There was a second line of text beneath the handwritten note.
A destination code.
**WARD C second line of text beneath the handwritten note.
A destination code.
*WARD C — PRIVATE TRANSFER.*
I read it aloud.
Pike went silent.
Then he — PRIVATE TRANSFER.**
I read it aloud.
Pike went silent.
Then he said, "Nessa, listen to me carefully. There was a private medical facility said, "Nessa, listen to me carefully. There was a private medical facility operating under that code in 2011. It closed years ago.""
operating under that code in 2011. It closed years ago.""
"Where?""
He gave me an address.
I recognized the name of"Where?""
He gave me an address.
I recognized the name of the road.
It was on the outskirts of town, beyond the old industrial park.
And the road.
It was on the outskirts of town, beyond the old industrial park.
And it was the same road where my father had been living before he disappeared from the motel.
I ended it was the same road where my father had been living before he disappeared from the motel.
I ended the call and looked at Lorraine.
"Why didn't you tell me this before?""
She lowered her head.
"Because I received the call and looked at Lorraine.
"Why didn't you tell me this before?""
She lowered her head.
"Because I received a letter the morning after your mother disappeared.""
"From whom?""
Lorraine looked at me through tear-filled a letter the morning after your mother disappeared.""
"From whom?""
Lorraine looked at me through tear-filled eyes.
"From Elaine.""
I stared at her.
"What did it say?""
Lorraine's voice fell to a whisper.
eyes.
"From Elaine.""
I stared at her.
"What did it say?""
Lorraine's voice fell to a whisper.
"That if I ever told you the truth, the next person to disappear would be Jun"That if I ever told you the truth, the next person to disappear would be Junie.""
My blood turned to ice.
I grabbed my phone and called home.
No answer.
I calledie.""
My blood turned to ice.
I grabbed my phone and called home.
No answer.
I called Mrs. Alvarez.
No answer.
Then I called Junie's school.
The office administrator picked up on Mrs. Alvarez.
No answer.
Then I called Junie's school.
The office administrator picked up on the third ring.
"Good afternoon, Maple Grove Elementary.""
"This is Nessa Hayes the third ring.
"Good afternoon, Maple Grove Elementary.""
"This is Nessa Hayes. My daughter, Junie Hayes, is in second grade. I need you to tell.
My daughter, Junie Hayes, is in second grade. I need you to tell me whether she's still at school.""
A pause.
"Mrs. Hayes, your daughter was collected at three o'clock.""
I me whether she's still at school.""
A pause.
"Mrs. Hayes, your daughter was collected at three o'clock.""
I stopped breathing.
"By whom?""
"The person listed on her authorized pickup form.""
"Who?""
The administrator hesitated.
Then stopped breathing.
"By whom?""
"The person listed on her authorized pickup form.""
"Who?""
The administrator hesitated.
Then she said a name.
"Daniel Mercer.""
I couldn't hear anything after that.
Not the traffic she said a name.
"Daniel Mercer.""
I couldn't hear anything after that.
Not the traffic outside.
Not Lorraine calling my name.
Not the sound of my own heartbeat.
All I could hear outside.
Not Lorraine calling my name.
Not the sound of my own heartbeat.
All I could hear was the voice of the man who had slept on my porch, asking whether I still had my mother's blanket.
And my father's warning, echo was the voice of the man who had slept on my porch, asking whether I still had my mother's blanket.
And my father's warning, echoing through my head.
If anything happens, find me.
I called Detective Pike again.
He answered before theing through my head.
If anything happens, find me.
I called Detective Pike again.
He answered before the first ring had finished.
"Where is Junie?""
I could barely get the words out.
"Daniel took her.""
first ring had finished.
"Where is Junie?""
I could barely get the words out.
"Daniel took her.""
"Stay where you are. We're issuing an alert.""
"No. You don't understand"Stay where you are. We're issuing an alert.""
"No. You don't understand. My aunt just told me someone threatened to take her.""
"Who threatened her?""
"I don't know.""
"Did Daniel contact you?""
"No.""
. My aunt just told me someone threatened to take her.""
"Who threatened her?""
"I don't know.""
"Did Daniel contact you?""
"No.""
"Has he asked for anything?""
I looked down at the wristband in my hand.
Then I"Has he asked for anything?""
I looked down at the wristband in my hand.
Then I saw the tiny writing on the inside, almost invisible against the plastic.
An saw the tiny writing on the inside, almost invisible against the plastic.
An address.
And beneath it, in my mother's handwriting, five words.
**WHERE THE address.
And beneath it, in my mother's handwriting, five words.
*WHERE THE ORIGINAL STILL LIVES.*
I read the address aloud.
Pike went silent.
Then he ORIGINAL STILL LIVES.**
I read the address aloud.
Pike went silent.
Then he said, "Nessa, do not go there alone.""
But I was already moving toward my said, "Nessa, do not go there alone.""
But I was already moving toward my car.
Because the address belonged to the abandoned private medical facility where my mother had supposedly been transferred fifteen years ago.
And if Daniel had taken car.
Because the address belonged to the abandoned private medical facility where my mother had supposedly been transferred fifteen years ago.
And if Daniel had taken my daughter there, I was going to find out why.
May you like
Even if the truth destroyed everything my daughter there, I was going to find out why.
Even if the truth destroyed everything I had left. I had left.
