Chapter 6: The Last Bill
Detective Aaron Pike met us in a small interview room at the police station.
He was in his early forties, with sandy Pike met us in a small interview room at the police station.
He was in his early forties, with sandy hair, a narrow face, and the weary expression of a man who had spent too many years listening to people explain why they hadn't hair, a narrow face, and the weary expression of a man who had spent too many years listening to people explain why they hadn't done what they were accused of doing.
A paper cup of coffee sat beside his done what they were accused of doing.
A paper cup of coffee sat beside his notebook.
He didn't offer us any.
"Nessa Hayes?"" he asked.
"Yes.""
"I'm notebook.
He didn't offer us any.
"Nessa Hayes?"" he asked.
"Yes.""
"I'm Detective Pike. This is Officer Bennett.""
A uniformed Detective Pike. This is Officer Bennett.""
A uniformed officer stood near the door.
Pike gestured toward two chairs.
"Please sit.""
Tessa officer stood near the door.
Pike gestured toward two chairs.
"Please sit.""
Tessa sat beside me, keeping her handbag on her lap.
Pike opened a folder.
"I understand you're sat beside me, keeping her handbag on her lap.
Pike opened a folder.
"I understand you're looking for Elliot Hayes.""
"He's my father.""
"According to the motel manager, you looking for Elliot Hayes.""
"He's my father.""
"According to the motel manager, you arrived looking for him this afternoon.""
"Yes.""
"When did you last see him arrived looking for him this afternoon.""
"Yes.""
"When did you last see him?""
"Last night.""
Pike raised his eyebrows.
"Last night?""
I explained what had happened during the?""
"Last night.""
Pike raised his eyebrows.
"Last night?""
I explained what had happened during the storm, leaving out nothing about the letter, the blanket, or the mysterious key.
He listened storm, leaving out nothing about the letter, the blanket, or the mysterious key.
He listened without interrupting.
When I finished, he leaned back.
"Did your father tell you why he came without interrupting.
When I finished, he leaned back.
"Did your father tell you why he came to your house?""
"No.""
"Did he ask for money?""
"No.""
"Did he threaten you?""
"No.""
"Did he tell you to your house?""
"No.""
"Did he ask for money?""
"No.""
"Did he threaten you?""
"No.""
"Did he tell you that someone was trying to hurt him?""
I hesitated.
"He didn't say it directly.""
"But that someone was trying to hurt him?""
I hesitated.
"He didn't say it directly.""
"But you believe he was frightened.""
"I believe he was careful you believe he was frightened.""
"I believe he was careful.""
Pike wrote something in his notebook.
"There's a difference.""
"I.""
Pike wrote something in his notebook.
"There's a difference.""
"I know.""
He looked at me for a moment, then closed the notebook.
"We received an know.""
He looked at me for a moment, then closed the notebook.
"We received an anonymous call this morning reporting a possible missing person. The caller said Elliot anonymous call this morning reporting a possible missing person. The caller said Elliot Hayes had been involved in a confrontation at the motel and might be in Hayes had been involved in a confrontation at the motel and might be in danger.""
"Who called?""
"We're trying to establish that.""
"Was he injured?""
danger.""
"Who called?""
"We're trying to establish that.""
"Was he injured?""
"We haven't found evidence of that.""
"Then why did you take the envelope from his"We haven't found evidence of that.""
"Then why did you take the envelope from his room?""
Pike glanced at the officer beside the door.
"The envelope contained several bank documents and room?""
Pike glanced at the officer beside the door.
"The envelope contained several bank documents and a note with a name written on it.""
"Whose name?""
"Daniel Mercer.""
I felt my stomach a note with a name written on it.""
"Whose name?""
"Daniel Mercer.""
I felt my stomach drop.
"What did the documents say?""
Pike opened the folder again.
"That's what drop.
"What did the documents say?""
Pike opened the folder again.
"That's what we're trying to determine. Some of the records are old, and the accounts referenced in we're trying to determine. Some of the records are old, and the accounts referenced in them have since been closed.""
"Can I see them?""
"Not yet.""
"Why not them have since been closed.""
"Can I see them?""
"Not yet.""
"Why not?""
"Because there may be an active financial investigation.""
I leaned forward.
"My ex-husband is involved in?""
"Because there may be an active financial investigation.""
I leaned forward.
"My ex-husband is involved in this somehow. I need to know what you're looking at.""
Pike this somehow. I need to know what you're looking at.""
Pike studied me.
"You're divorced?""
"Separated. The divorce hasn't been finalized studied me.
"You're divorced?""
"Separated. The divorce hasn't been finalized.""
"Does Mr. Mercer know you're looking into your mother's death?""
The question made my mouth.""
"Does Mr. Mercer know you're looking into your mother's death?""
The question made my mouth go dry.
"I didn't know there was anything to investigate until today.""
"Who told you there was go dry.
"I didn't know there was anything to investigate until today.""
"Who told you there was?""
"My father.""
"How?""
"He left a note.""
"What did it?""
"My father.""
"How?""
"He left a note.""
"What did it say?""
I hesitated.
Tessa touched my knee beneath the table.
I took the say?""
I hesitated.
Tessa touched my knee beneath the table.
I took the note from my pocket and placed it in front of Pike.
He read it twice.
Then he looked at me.
"Did note from my pocket and placed it in front of Pike.
He read it twice.
Then he looked at me.
"Did you tell anyone else about this?""
"Only my friend.""
"Your aunt?""
"No.""
"Mr. Mercer?""
"No you tell anyone else about this?""
"Only my friend.""
"Your aunt?""
"No.""
"Mr. Mercer?""
"No.""
Pike exchanged a glance with Officer Bennett.
Something passed between them that I couldn't interpret.""
Pike exchanged a glance with Officer Bennett.
Something passed between them that I couldn't interpret.
"What?"" I asked.
Pike folded the note.
"Your mother's medical records were requested from the hospital archives three.
"What?"" I asked.
Pike folded the note.
"Your mother's medical records were requested from the hospital archives three weeks ago.""
"By whom?""
"The request was submitted using a power of attorney bearing your mother's signature.""
"She died fifteen weeks ago.""
"By whom?""
"The request was submitted using a power of attorney bearing your mother's signature.""
"She died fifteen years ago.""
"We know.""
I stared at him.
"Who submitted it?""
"We're investigating that years ago.""
"We know.""
I stared at him.
"Who submitted it?""
"We're investigating that.""
"Was the signature real?""
"An initial review suggests it may not be.""
My hands began to shake.
"What were they.""
"Was the signature real?""
"An initial review suggests it may not be.""
My hands began to shake.
"What were they looking for?""
"We don't know yet. But several pages were removed from the original file before the records were returned looking for?""
"We don't know yet. But several pages were removed from the original file before the records were returned.""
"Which pages?""
"Medication administration records, a physician's progress note, and a nursing.""
"Which pages?""
"Medication administration records, a physician's progress note, and a nursing entry from the final forty-eight hours of your mother's life.""
I felt cold all entry from the final forty-eight hours of your mother's life.""
I felt cold all over.
"What did the nursing entry say?""
"We don't have it.""
"Then how do you know it over.
"What did the nursing entry say?""
"We don't have it.""
"Then how do you know it existed?""
"Because the hospital maintains a record of every page in a patient's file. The index lists the missing entries existed?""
"Because the hospital maintains a record of every page in a patient's file. The index lists the missing entries.""
I looked at Tessa.
She had gone very still.
Pike continued.
"I need.""
I looked at Tessa.
She had gone very still.
Pike continued.
"I need to ask you something, Ms. Hayes. Did your mother have any conflict with your ex-husband?""
to ask you something, Ms. Hayes. Did your mother have any conflict with your ex-husband?""
"I don't know.""
"Did she ever tell you he had visited her?""
"No.""
"Did you know"I don't know.""
"Did she ever tell you he had visited her?""
"No.""
"Did you know he was at her house three days before she died?""
I stared at him.
"How do you know about he was at her house three days before she died?""
I stared at him.
"How do you know about that?""
Pike opened another folder and showed me a photocopy of the photograph from that?""
Pike opened another folder and showed me a photocopy of the photograph from my father's notebook.
"We found a copy among the documents taken from the motel.""
I looked at Daniel my father's notebook.
"We found a copy among the documents taken from the motel.""
I looked at Daniel's face.
"Why was he there?""
"That's one of the questions we're trying to answer.""
I remembered the note's face.
"Why was he there?""
"That's one of the questions we're trying to answer.""
I remembered the note.
Ask him why he paid for her last hospital visit.
"Did Daniel pay for my mother's hospital stay?""
Pike looked.
Ask him why he paid for her last hospital visit.
"Did Daniel pay for my mother's hospital stay?""
Pike looked up sharply.
"Who told you that?""
"My father left a note.""
The detective sat up sharply.
"Who told you that?""
"My father left a note.""
The detective sat back.
For the first time, his expression changed.
"Do you have proof?""
"No. Just the note.""
back.
For the first time, his expression changed.
"Do you have proof?""
"No. Just the note.""
"Then we'll need to verify it.""
He opened his laptop and typed something.
After a few"Then we'll need to verify it.""
He opened his laptop and typed something.
After a few minutes, he turned the screen toward me.
It showed an old hospital billing record.
The minutes, he turned the screen toward me.
It showed an old hospital billing record.
The name at the top was Elaine Hayes.
Below it were dates, charges, insurance adjustments, and a final payment name at the top was Elaine Hayes.
Below it were dates, charges, insurance adjustments, and a final payment.
The payment had been made by a personal check.
The name.
The payment had been made by a personal check.
The name on the account was Daniel Mercer.
I stared at the screen.
"How much?""
"Four thousand, eight on the account was Daniel Mercer.
I stared at the screen.
"How much?""
"Four thousand, eight hundred and sixty dollars," Pike said.
"The payment covered outstanding charges not hundred and sixty dollars," Pike said.
"The payment covered outstanding charges not paid by insurance.""
"Why would he do that?""
"That's what we need to establish.""
I shook paid by insurance.""
"Why would he do that?""
"That's what we need to establish.""
I shook my head.
"He told me he barely knew my mother.""
"Did he?""
"He said he respected her, but he never mentioned my head.
"He told me he barely knew my mother.""
"Did he?""
"He said he respected her, but he never mentioned paying her medical bills.""
Pike closed the laptop.
"Did you ever see the check?""
"No.""
"Did you know paying her medical bills.""
Pike closed the laptop.
"Did you ever see the check?""
"No.""
"Did you know he had access to her finances?""
"No.""
"Did your mother have a will?""
"Yes.""
"Do he had access to her finances?""
"No.""
"Did your mother have a will?""
"Yes.""
"Do you know who the executor was?""
"My aunt Lorraine.""
Pike wrote down the name.
"Did your mother own any property?""
"She you know who the executor was?""
"My aunt Lorraine.""
Pike wrote down the name.
"Did your mother own any property?""
"She owned her house. It was sold after she died.""
"Who received the proceeds?""
"I did owned her house. It was sold after she died.""
"Who received the proceeds?""
"I did. Most of it went toward paying her debts and my university fees.""
"Was. Most of it went toward paying her debts and my university fees.""
"Was there a dispute over the estate?""
"Not that I knew of.""
Pike nodded slowly.
"Ms there a dispute over the estate?""
"Not that I knew of.""
Pike nodded slowly.
"Ms. Hayes, I want you to understand something. A payment to a hospital is not proof of wrongdoing. Neither is a missing medical.
Hayes, I want you to understand something. A payment to a hospital is not proof of wrongdoing. Neither is a missing medical record, by itself.
But when those facts appear alongside a potentially falsified document and record, by itself. But when those facts appear alongside a potentially falsified document and a missing person, we have to ask questions.""
"I understand.""
"Good a missing person, we have to ask questions.""
"I understand.""
"Good. Because I need you to do something for me.""
He slid a card across. Because I need you to do something for me.""
He slid a card across the table.
"If your father contacts you, call me immediately. Don't arrange to meet him alone. the table.
"If your father contacts you, call me immediately. Don't arrange to meet him alone. Don't try to investigate the old accounts yourself. And if anyone threatens you again, report it.""
I Don't try to investigate the old accounts yourself. And if anyone threatens you again, report it.""
I picked up the card.
"What if I find something before you do?""
"Bring it to me.""
"And if I think picked up the card.
"What if I find something before you do?""
"Bring it to me.""
"And if I think you're not moving fast enough?""
His expression didn't change.
"Then you're not moving fast enough?""
His expression didn't change.
"Then you can tell me that to my face. But don't put yourself or your daughter in danger you can tell me that to my face. But don't put yourself or your daughter in danger trying to solve a case you don't yet understand.""
I thought of the note from my father.
*Come trying to solve a case you don't yet understand.""
I thought of the note from my father.
Come alone.
I slipped the card into my bag.
"I'll call you if I hear from him.""
Pike stood.
" alone.*
I slipped the card into my bag.
"I'll call you if I hear from him.""
Pike stood.
"One more thing. Has anyone asked you to sign any documents relating to your mother's estateOne more thing. Has anyone asked you to sign any documents relating to your mother's estate recently?""
"No.""
"Has anyone contacted you about a trust or an inheritance?""
"No.""
He recently?""
"No.""
"Has anyone contacted you about a trust or an inheritance?""
"No.""
He looked at me for a moment.
"All right.""
We left the station shortly after three.
In the parking lot, Tessa stopped beside looked at me for a moment.
"All right.""
We left the station shortly after three.
In the parking lot, Tessa stopped beside her car.
"You're not going to like what I'm about to say.""
"I haven't liked anything today.""
her car.
"You're not going to like what I'm about to say.""
"I haven't liked anything today.""
"Your aunt knows more than she's admitting.""
"I know.""
"And Daniel is connected"Your aunt knows more than she's admitting.""
"I know.""
"And Daniel is connected to this somehow.""
"I know.""
"And your father may have put himself in danger by to this somehow.""
"I know.""
"And your father may have put himself in danger by coming back.""
I looked at her.
"Do you think he killed my mother?""
Tessa's face softened.
"No.""
"How can you be coming back.""
I looked at her.
"Do you think he killed my mother?""
Tessa's face softened.
"No.""
"How can you be sure?""
"I'm not. But nothing you've shown me proves that he did.""
I looked sure?""
"I'm not. But nothing you've shown me proves that he did.""
I looked down at my hands.
For fifteen years, I had believed my mother died because her down at my hands.
For fifteen years, I had believed my mother died because her body had failed her.
Now I was beginning to wonder whether the people around her had failed her first.
My phone rang.
Daniel's name appeared on body had failed her.
Now I was beginning to wonder whether the people around her had failed her first.
My phone rang.
Daniel's name appeared on the screen.
I hadn't heard his voice in eleven days.
For a moment, I considered the screen.
I hadn't heard his voice in eleven days.
For a moment, I considered letting it go to voicemail.
Then I remembered the hospital bill.
I letting it go to voicemail.
Then I remembered the hospital bill.
I answered.
"Nessa?""
His voice was warm, familiar, almost gentle.
"Daniel.""
"Thank answered.
"Nessa?""
His voice was warm, familiar, almost gentle.
"Daniel.""
"Thank God. I've been trying to reach you.""
"Why?""
A pause.
"Because I heard you've been asking questions about Elaine God. I've been trying to reach you.""
"Why?""
A pause.
"Because I heard you've been asking questions about Elaine.""
My grip tightened around the phone.
"Who told you that?""
"Does it matter?""
"Yes.""
.""
My grip tightened around the phone.
"Who told you that?""
"Does it matter?""
"Yes.""
He exhaled sharply.
"Look, I know this is difficult. Your mother's death was a terrible time for everyone.""
"Did youHe exhaled sharply.
"Look, I know this is difficult. Your mother's death was a terrible time for everyone.""
"Did you pay her hospital bill?""
Silence.
It lasted long enough for me to hear a car horn in pay her hospital bill?""
Silence.
It lasted long enough for me to hear a car horn in the background on his end of the line.
Then Daniel said, "Who told you that?""
"My the background on his end of the line.
Then Daniel said, "Who told you that?""
"My father.""
Another pause.
"Your father is alive?""
The way he said it made my skin prickle.
Not I thought he was dead.
Not *What are father.""
Another pause.
"Your father is alive?""
The way he said it made my skin prickle.
Not I thought he was dead.
Not What are you talking about?
Just surprise that I knew.
"Yes," I said you talking about?*
Just surprise that I knew.
"Yes," I said.
"He's alive.""
Daniel lowered his voice.
"Listen to me very carefully. You need to stop talking to him.""
"Why?""
"Because he isn't.
"He's alive.""
Daniel lowered his voice.
"Listen to me very carefully. You need to stop talking to him.""
"Why?""
"Because he isn't the man you think he is.""
"You don't know what I think he is.""
"I know he has the man you think he is.""
"You don't know what I think he is.""
"I know he has spent his entire life destroying people who tried to help him.""
"Did spent his entire life destroying people who tried to help him.""
"Did he destroy my mother?""
Daniel went silent.
"Answer me.""
"Your mother made some he destroy my mother?""
Daniel went silent.
"Answer me.""
"Your mother made some very bad decisions, Nessa.""
"What decisions?""
"I can't explain over very bad decisions, Nessa.""
"What decisions?""
"I can't explain over the phone.""
"Then explain in person.""
"I don't think that's a good idea.""
"Why not?""
"Because there are things you don't understand.""
the phone.""
"Then explain in person.""
"I don't think that's a good idea.""
"Why not?""
"Because there are things you don't understand.""
I closed my eyes.
"That seems to be the only thing anyone canI closed my eyes.
"That seems to be the only thing anyone can tell me.""
"Nessa, please. I'm trying to protect you.""
I laughed tell me.""
"Nessa, please. I'm trying to protect you.""
I laughed once, without humor.
"From whom?""
"From Elliot.""
I looked at Tessa.
She was watching me closely.
"What did once, without humor.
"From whom?""
"From Elliot.""
I looked at Tessa.
She was watching me closely.
"What did my father do?"" I asked.
Daniel's voice grew quieter.
"He wasn't just accused of stealing money from the my father do?"" I asked.
Daniel's voice grew quieter.
"He wasn't just accused of stealing money from the family company. He took something that belonged to your mother. Something valuable. She spent years trying to get family company.
He took something that belonged to your mother. Something valuable. She spent years trying to get it back.""
"What was it?""
"I can't tell you.""
"Then we're done.""
"Wait it back.""
"What was it?""
"I can't tell you.""
"Then we're done.""
"Wait.""
I held the phone away from my ear.
"Nessa, if you find the blue.""
I held the phone away from my ear.
"Nessa, if you find the blue ledger, don't give it to Margaret Ellis.""
My blood ran cold.
"What blue ledger, don't give it to Margaret Ellis.""
My blood ran cold.
"What blue ledger?""
He seemed to realize what he'd said.
"Nessa—"
"What ledger?""
"I have to go.""
"Daniel ledger?""
He seemed to realize what he'd said.
"Nessa—"
"What ledger?""
"I have to go.""
"Daniel!""
The call ended.
I stood in the parking lot, staring at my phone.
Tessa approached slowly.
"What happened?""
I told her!""
The call ended.
I stood in the parking lot, staring at my phone.
Tessa approached slowly.
"What happened?""
I told her what Daniel had said.
She looked toward the road.
"Did he say where he was?""
"No.""
"Did he sound what Daniel had said.
She looked toward the road.
"Did he say where he was?""
"No.""
"Did he sound frightened?""
I thought about it.
"Yes.""
"Of your father?""
"I don't know.""
My frightened?""
I thought about it.
"Yes.""
"Of your father?""
"I don't know.""
My phone buzzed.
A text message from Daniel.
**I'm sorry. I shouldn't have called. Forget everything I said. phone buzzed.
A text message from Daniel.
*I'm sorry. I shouldn't have called. Forget everything I said.*
Another message arrived before I could respond.
*If you want to know what happened to your*
Another message arrived before I could respond.
*If you want to know what happened to your mother, ask Lorraine about the money she received the week Elaine died.*
I read the message aloud.
Tessa swore under her breath.
"He's mother, ask Lorraine about the money she received the week Elaine died.**
I read the message aloud.
Tessa swore under her breath.
"He's pointing the finger at your aunt.""
"Or trying to.""
"Exactly.""
I put the phone in pointing the finger at your aunt.""
"Or trying to.""
"Exactly.""
I put the phone in my pocket.
We drove to Mrs. Alvarez's house to collect Junie. She was in the my pocket.
We drove to Mrs. Alvarez's house to collect Junie. She was in the garden, drawing on the patio with a box of chalk, garden, drawing on the patio with a box of chalk, completely unaware that her family had become a maze of lies.
When she saw me, she ran into completely unaware that her family had become a maze of lies.
When she saw me, she ran into my arms.
"Mommy!""
I hugged her tightly.
Mrs. Alvarez watched us with a gentle smile.
"She was my arms.
"Mommy!""
I hugged her tightly.
Mrs. Alvarez watched us with a gentle smile.
"She was an angel today," she said.
"Although she did explain to my husband that an angel today," she said.
"Although she did explain to my husband that his lawn was 'emotionally boring.''"
I laughed his lawn was 'emotionally boring.''"
I laughed despite myself.
"That sounds like Junie.""
My daughter pulled away and looked at my face.
"Mommy, why are your eyes red?""
"I despite myself.
"That sounds like Junie.""
My daughter pulled away and looked at my face.
"Mommy, why are your eyes red?""
"I had a long day.""
"Did you find the man?""
I froze.
Mrs. Alvarez glanced between us.
"What had a long day.""
"Did you find the man?""
I froze.
Mrs. Alvarez glanced between us.
"What man, sweetheart?""
"The old man who slept on our porch.""
I knelt in front of Junie.
"Not yet, baby.""
She looked disappointed man, sweetheart?""
"The old man who slept on our porch.""
I knelt in front of Junie.
"Not yet, baby.""
She looked disappointed.
"Can we look tomorrow?""
I brushed a strand of hair from her forehead.
"We'll see.""
She studied.
"Can we look tomorrow?""
I brushed a strand of hair from her forehead.
"We'll see.""
She studied me for a moment.
Then she whispered, "He said you would come looking.""
My heart me for a moment.
Then she whispered, "He said you would come looking.""
My heart stopped.
"What?""
Junie nodded.
"When?""
"Before he went away.""
I held her shoulders gently stopped.
"What?""
Junie nodded.
"When?""
"Before he went away.""
I held her shoulders gently.
"Where did he say that?""
"Outside. When I looked through the window.""
"What.
"Where did he say that?""
"Outside. When I looked through the window.""
"What else did he say?""
She frowned, trying to remember.
"He said, 'If your mommy asks else did he say?""
She frowned, trying to remember.
"He said, 'If your mommy asks, tell her the truth is in the blue book.''"
I stared at my daughter.
"The blue, tell her the truth is in the blue book.''"
I stared at my daughter.
"The blue book?""
She nodded.
"Then he said something else.""
"What, sweetheart?""
Junie leaned book?""
She nodded.
"Then he said something else.""
"What, sweetheart?""
Junie leaned closer.
"He said, 'Tell her I'm sorry I wasn't there when her mother needed closer.
"He said, 'Tell her I'm sorry I wasn't there when her mother needed me.''"
I felt something break inside my chest.
I pulled her into my arms and held her while she me.''"
I felt something break inside my chest.
I pulled her into my arms and held her while she patted my back.
When I finally let her go, I looked toward the house.
The front door stood open.
patted my back.
When I finally let her go, I looked toward the house.
The front door stood open.
The blanket was on the sofa where I'd left it that morning.
And beneath the edgeThe blanket was on the sofa where I'd left it that morning.
And beneath the edge of the cushion, something blue was visible.
I walked toward it.
A small of the cushion, something blue was visible.
I walked toward it.
A small blue notebook.
I was certain it hadn't been there when I'd left.
My hands shook as I opened it.
The first page contained a list of names and dates.
The second blue notebook.
I was certain it hadn't been there when I'd left.
My hands shook as I opened it.
The first page contained a list of names and dates.
The second contained a series of bank transfers.
The third contained a photocopy of my mother's hospital bill.
And the fourth contained a photograph of my aunt Lorraine standing outside the hospital on the night my mother contained a series of bank transfers.
The third contained a photocopy of my mother's hospital bill.
And the fourth contained a photograph of my aunt Lorraine standing outside the hospital on the night my mother died.
Beside her stood Daniel.
They were holding hands.
On the back, in my father's handwriting, died.
Beside her stood Daniel.
They were holding hands.
On the back, in my father's handwriting, was a sentence.
The money was only the beginning.
I turned the page.
A hospital nurse was a sentence.
The money was only the beginning.
I turned the page.
A hospital nurse's name had been written across the bottom's name had been written across the bottom in red ink.
Beneath it was a telephone number.
And beside the number, my father in red ink.
Beneath it was a telephone number.
And beside the number, my father had written three words.
May you like
*SHE KNOWS EVERYTHING.* had written three words.
*SHE KNOWS EVERYTHING.*
