Chapter 8: The Clock Behind## Chapter 8: The Clock Behind the Wall
By the Wall
By the time Tessa turned onto Bellweather Lane, the time Tessa turned onto Bellweather Lane, I had called Margaret six times.
Every I had called Margaret six times.
Every call went straight to voicemail.
The house with the blue door stood at the end of the cul-de-sac, its front windows call went straight to voicemail.
The house with the blue door stood at the end of the cul-de-sac, its front windows reflecting the cloudless afternoon. The gate hung open. One of the hydrangea reflecting the cloudless afternoon.
The gate hung open. One of the hydrangea bushes had been crushed beneath a tire, and the front door stood ajar.
I told Tessa to stop the car.
She slammed bushes had been crushed beneath a tire, and the front door stood ajar.
I told Tessa to stop the car.
She slammed on the brakes.
"You're not going in there," she said.
"Margaret could be hurt.""
"And so on the brakes.
"You're not going in there," she said.
"Margaret could be hurt.""
"And so could you.""
I looked at the open doorway.
Somewhere inside that house was a woman could you.""
I looked at the open doorway.
Somewhere inside that house was a woman who had given me my father's letters, shown me the photograph of my parents, and admitted that she had spent years protecting a who had given me my father's letters, shown me the photograph of my parents, and admitted that she had spent years protecting a secret she barely understood.
I couldn't leave her.
"I'm calling Pike again secret she barely understood.
I couldn't leave her.
"I'm calling Pike again," I said.
"Good.""
I called.
He answered on the first ring.
"," I said.
"Good.""
I called.
He answered on the first ring.
"Where are you?""
"Outside Margaret Ellis's house.""
His silence was immediate and furiousWhere are you?""
"Outside Margaret Ellis's house.""
His silence was immediate and furious.
"I told you to stay where you were.""
"She called me. Daniel is there with someone else. Then.
"I told you to stay where you were.""
"She called me. Daniel is there with someone else. Then I heard a crash, and the call ended.""
"Have you entered the property?""
"No.""
"Good. Stay outside I heard a crash, and the call ended.""
"Have you entered the property?""
"No.""
"Good. Stay outside. We're sending officers.""
"How long?""
"As long as it takes to get there safely.""
I stared at. We're sending officers.""
"How long?""
"As long as it takes to get there safely.""
I stared at the doorway.
"Detective, what if they're hurting her right now?""
"Then going the doorway.
"Detective, what if they're hurting her right now?""
"Then going inside alone will give them another person to hurt. Stay in the car.""
He ended the call.
inside alone will give them another person to hurt. Stay in the car.""
He ended the call.
Tessa reached across me and locked the doors.
"We wait.""
I looked at herTessa reached across me and locked the doors.
"We wait.""
I looked at her.
"You really think I can sit here while she's in there?""
"I think you can.
"You really think I can sit here while she's in there?""
"I think you can sit here for five minutes while trained officers get here.""
Five minutes.
It sounded reasonable sit here for five minutes while trained officers get here.""
Five minutes.
It sounded reasonable.
It sounded impossible.
Then I heard a sharp crash from inside the house.
.
It sounded impossible.
Then I heard a sharp crash from inside the house.
A woman's voice cried out.
I opened the car door.
Tessa grabbed my arm.
"Nessa!""
I pulledA woman's voice cried out.
I opened the car door.
Tessa grabbed my arm.
"Nessa!""
I pulled free and ran toward the entrance.
The hallway smelled of overturned furniture and fresh free and ran toward the entrance.
The hallway smelled of overturned furniture and fresh paint. A framed photograph lay shattered on the floor. The small table beside the doorway paint.
A framed photograph lay shattered on the floor. The small table beside the doorway had been knocked onto its side, scattering letters across the tiles.
"Margaret?""
No had been knocked onto its side, scattering letters across the tiles.
"Margaret?""
No answer.
I moved toward the living room.
A lamp lay broken beside answer.
I moved toward the living room.
A lamp lay broken beside the fireplace. The curtains had been pulled from one of the windows, and the cabinet the fireplace. The curtains had been pulled from one of the windows, and the cabinet where Margaret kept her folders stood open, its drawers emptied across the carpet where Margaret kept her folders stood open, its drawers emptied across the carpet.
Then I heard a voice from the study.
"Don't make this worse than it has.
Then I heard a voice from the study.
"Don't make this worse than it has to be.""
Daniel.
I stopped at the doorway.
He stood beside Margaret's desk, holding a leather folder in to be.""
Daniel.
I stopped at the doorway.
He stood beside Margaret's desk, holding a leather folder in one hand. His expensive navy suit was creased at the elbows, and his tie hung loose one hand. His expensive navy suit was creased at the elbows, and his tie hung loose around his neck.
A second man stood beside the window.
He was older, perhaps around his neck.
A second man stood beside the window.
He was older, perhaps in his late fifties, with a shaved head and a heavy build. He wore a gray jacket and black in his late fifties, with a shaved head and a heavy build. He wore a gray jacket and black gloves.
Margaret sat in a chair with one hand pressed to her forehead. Blood trick gloves.
Margaret sat in a chair with one hand pressed to her forehead. Blood trickled between her fingers.
Daniel turned.
For a fraction of a second, he looked genuinely surprised toled between her fingers.
Daniel turned.
For a fraction of a second, he looked genuinely surprised to see me.
Then he smiled.
"Nessa.""
I hated that smile.
It was the same one he had used when he see me.
Then he smiled.
"Nessa.""
I hated that smile.
It was the same one he had used when he came home late and told me his meetings had run over. The same one he had worn when he came home late and told me his meetings had run over. The same one he had worn when he asked me to sign the papers for our joint account.
The same smile that had convinced me, asked me to sign the papers for our joint account.
The same smile that had convinced me, for years, that he was incapable of deliberately hurting anyone.
"What have you done?"" I demanded.
Daniel set the folder on for years, that he was incapable of deliberately hurting anyone.
"What have you done?"" I demanded.
Daniel set the folder on the desk.
"Nothing she didn't bring on herself.""
Margaret tried to stand.
The other man the desk.
"Nothing she didn't bring on herself.""
Margaret tried to stand.
The other man stepped toward her and pushed her back into the chair with one hand.
"Stay seated.""
I stepped toward her and pushed her back into the chair with one hand.
"Stay seated.""
I moved forward.
"Get your hands off her.""
Daniel raised a palm.
"Cal moved forward.
"Get your hands off her.""
Daniel raised a palm.
"Calm down. Nobody wants this to become a scene.""
"Then leave.""
m down. Nobody wants this to become a scene.""
"Then leave.""
"Not without what I came for.""
"What?""
"The"Not without what I came for.""
"What?""
"The blue ledger.""
I stared at him.
"You came here to steal a book?""
"That book doesn't belong blue ledger.""
I stared at him.
"You came here to steal a book?""
"That book doesn't belong to you.""
"Neither does my mother's money, apparently.""
His smile disappeared.
"Who told to you.""
"Neither does my mother's money, apparently.""
His smile disappeared.
"Who told you about the money?""
I almost laughed.
"Would you like me to make a list?""
Daniel looked at Margaret.
"You you about the money?""
I almost laughed.
"Would you like me to make a list?""
Daniel looked at Margaret.
"You told her.""
Margaret lifted her chin despite the blood told her.""
Margaret lifted her chin despite the blood on her face.
"She has a right to know.""
"She has a right to a great many on her face.
"She has a right to know.""
"She has a right to a great many things. That doesn't mean you should have dragged her into this.""
I looked at him.
"You don't things. That doesn't mean you should have dragged her into this.""
I looked at him.
"You don't get to pretend you're protecting me.""
His jaw tightened.
"I am trying to keep you from get to pretend you're protecting me.""
His jaw tightened.
"I am trying to keep you from making a terrible mistake.""
"Then tell me what happened to my mother.""
The room making a terrible mistake.""
"Then tell me what happened to my mother.""
The room went quiet.
The man beside the window shifted his weight.
Daniel looked at me for a long moment, went quiet.
The man beside the window shifted his weight.
Daniel looked at me for a long moment, and for the first time since I had known him, I saw something and for the first time since I had known him, I saw something beneath his practiced expression.
Fear.
Not fear of me.
Fear of what I might already beneath his practiced expression.
Fear.
Not fear of me.
Fear of what I might already know.
"Your mother was sick," he said.
"I know.""
"She was getting know.
"Your mother was sick," he said.
"I know.""
"She was getting worse.""
"I know.""
"Her condition was complicated. The doctors were doing everything worse.""
"I know.""
"Her condition was complicated. The doctors were doing everything they could.""
"Then why did you pay her hospital bill?""
He glanced toward the other man.
I they could.""
"Then why did you pay her hospital bill?""
He glanced toward the other man.
I noticed the movement.
So did Margaret.
"Because I owed noticed the movement.
So did Margaret.
"Because I owed her money," Daniel said.
"For what?""
He didn't answer.
I stepped closer.
"For what, Daniel?""
He rubbed her money," Daniel said.
"For what?""
He didn't answer.
I stepped closer.
"For what, Daniel?""
He rubbed his face.
"She had something that belonged to my family.""
"Your his face.
"She had something that belonged to my family.""
"Your family?""
"The Hayes family.""
I stared at him.
"You weren't born into the Hayes family.""
family?""
"The Hayes family.""
I stared at him.
"You weren't born into the Hayes family.""
"No," he said.
"But I married you. And before that"No," he said.
"But I married you. And before that, I was working for your aunt's husband.""
The words struck me with unexpected force, I was working for your aunt's husband.""
The words struck me with unexpected force.
I remembered Daniel talking about his early career. He had worked in accounting before moving into property development. He said he had learned everything.
I remembered Daniel talking about his early career. He had worked in accounting before moving into property development. He said he had learned everything from a man who took a chance on him.
I had never asked for the man's name.
"Your from a man who took a chance on him.
I had never asked for the man's name.
"Your aunt's husband employed you?""
"Yes.""
"At the family company?""
"Yes.""
"Why aunt's husband employed you?""
"Yes.""
"At the family company?""
"Yes.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because it was none of your business.""
I took another step.
didn't you tell me?""
"Because it was none of your business.""
I took another step.
"My mother died while you were standing beside my aunt in a hospital corridor. You"My mother died while you were standing beside my aunt in a hospital corridor. You paid her final bill. You lied about where you were that week.
And paid her final bill. You lied about where you were that week. And you expect me to believe none of this is my business?""
Daniel looked down.
For a moment, you expect me to believe none of this is my business?""
Daniel looked down.
For a moment, I thought he might finally tell me the truth.
Instead, he reached for the leather folder.
"Give me the notebook, I thought he might finally tell me the truth.
Instead, he reached for the leather folder.
"Give me the notebook, Nessa.""
"No.""
"Please don't do this.""
"You came into this Nessa.""
"No.""
"Please don't do this.""
"You came into this house, hurt Margaret, and demanded something you claim belongs to you. You don't house, hurt Margaret, and demanded something you claim belongs to you. You don't get to ask me for anything.""
The man in the gray jacket moved toward me.
I stepped back.
Tessa appeared get to ask me for anything.""
The man in the gray jacket moved toward me.
I stepped back.
Tessa appeared behind him in the doorway.
"Police are on their behind him in the doorway.
"Police are on their way," she announced.
Daniel turned sharply.
The man reached inside his jacket.
"Don't," Tessa said, raising her phone way," she announced.
Daniel turned sharply.
The man reached inside his jacket.
"Don't," Tessa said, raising her phone.
"I'm recording everything.""
For a second, no one moved.
Then Margaret spoke.
.
"I'm recording everything.""
For a second, no one moved.
Then Margaret spoke.
"The clock.""
Daniel froze.
I looked at her.
"What?""
Margaret's eyes were fixed on the fireplace.
"The clock"The clock.""
Daniel froze.
I looked at her.
"What?""
Margaret's eyes were fixed on the fireplace.
"The clock behind the wall.""
Daniel lunged toward her.
"Shut up!""
He struck the desk with behind the wall.""
Daniel lunged toward her.
"Shut up!""
He struck the desk with his palm, sending a pen holder crashing to the floor.
Margaret flinched but kept talking.
"Your his palm, sending a pen holder crashing to the floor.
Margaret flinched but kept talking.
"Your mother left the original records in the clock.""
Daniel's face had gone white.
I mother left the original records in the clock.""
Daniel's face had gone white.
I stared at the fireplace.
A tall grandfather clock stood against the wall, its dark wood polished to a shine. I stared at the fireplace.
A tall grandfather clock stood against the wall, its dark wood polished to a shine. I had noticed it when I first visited the house, but it had seemed like an ordinary antique had noticed it when I first visited the house, but it had seemed like an ordinary antique.
Now I understood why Patricia's final note had mentioned it.
Ask Margaret about the clock.
I.
Now I understood why Patricia's final note had mentioned it.
Ask Margaret about the clock.
I moved toward it.
Daniel stepped into my path.
"Don't touch that.""
I stopped.
moved toward it.
Daniel stepped into my path.
"Don't touch that.""
I stopped.
"Why?""
"Because it's dangerous.""
"What is?""
"The mechanism.""
"Why?""
"Because it's dangerous.""
"What is?""
"The mechanism.""
"Then you won't mind if I look"Then you won't mind if I look.""
He grabbed my wrist.
Pain shot through my arm.
"Listen.""
He grabbed my wrist.
Pain shot through my arm.
"Listen to me," he said through clenched teeth.
"You have no to me," he said through clenched teeth.
"You have no idea what you're dealing with.""
I stared at his hand.
"Let go.""
"Nessa—"
"Let idea what you're dealing with.""
I stared at his hand.
"Let go.""
"Nessa—"
"Let go of me.""
He released me.
For a moment, we stood inches apart.
Then I said the go of me.""
He released me.
For a moment, we stood inches apart.
Then I said the words I had wanted to say since the day he left.
"You don't get to frighten me anymore.""
I words I had wanted to say since the day he left.
"You don't get to frighten me anymore.""
I moved around him and opened the clock's narrow side panel.
Inside, behind the brass pendulum, was moved around him and opened the clock's narrow side panel.
Inside, behind the brass pendulum, was a small compartment lined with felt.
A bundle of papers sat inside it.
I reached a small compartment lined with felt.
A bundle of papers sat inside it.
I reached for them.
Daniel surged forward.
Tessa shouted.
Margaret screamed.
I pulled the bundle free just for them.
Daniel surged forward.
Tessa shouted.
Margaret screamed.
I pulled the bundle free just as the man in the gray jacket seized my shoulder.
He twisted me backward.
The papers scattered as the man in the gray jacket seized my shoulder.
He twisted me backward.
The papers scattered across the floor.
One sheet slid beneath the desk. Another landed beside the fireplace across the floor.
One sheet slid beneath the desk. Another landed beside the fireplace. A third fluttered against Daniel's shoe.
He bent to pick. A third fluttered against Daniel's shoe.
He bent to pick it up.
I saw the heading before his fingers covered it.
**SUPPLEMENTARY it up.
I saw the heading before his fingers covered it.
*SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICATION ORDER — ELAINE HAYES.*
Below it was a date.
November 14, MEDICATION ORDER — ELAINE HAYES.**
Below it was a date.
November 14, 2011.
And beneath that, a handwritten dosage correction.
Daniel stared at the document.
For the first2011.
And beneath that, a handwritten dosage correction.
Daniel stared at the document.
For the first time, his face looked empty.
Then he tore the paper in half.
I lunged toward time, his face looked empty.
Then he tore the paper in half.
I lunged toward him.
"You bastard!""
He shoved me away.
I struck the edge of the desk, pain him.
"You bastard!""
He shoved me away.
I struck the edge of the desk, pain flaring through my hip.
Tessa screamed my name.
The man in the gray flaring through my hip.
Tessa screamed my name.
The man in the gray jacket released my shoulder and turned toward the front hall.
Sirens sounded outside.
Daniel looked jacket released my shoulder and turned toward the front hall.
Sirens sounded outside.
Daniel looked at the door, then at the scattered documents.
He made a decision.
He grabbed the leather folder and ran.
The at the door, then at the scattered documents.
He made a decision.
He grabbed the leather folder and ran.
The other man followed.
Tessa tried to block the doorway, but the man shoved past her other man followed.
Tessa tried to block the doorway, but the man shoved past her. She stumbled into the wall, and her phone skittered across the floor.
I scrambled after. She stumbled into the wall, and her phone skittered across the floor.
I scrambled after them.
By the time I reached the front porch, Daniel was already sprinting toward a black car parked beside them.
By the time I reached the front porch, Daniel was already sprinting toward a black car parked beside the gate.
He opened the passenger door.
The other man climbed into the driver's seat.
Before Daniel got the gate.
He opened the passenger door.
The other man climbed into the driver's seat.
Before Daniel got in, he turned and looked directly at me.
"I didn't kill your mother!"" he shouted.
Then in, he turned and looked directly at me.
"I didn't kill your mother!"" he shouted.
Then he disappeared into the car.
The engine roared.
The vehicle reversed so violently that one he disappeared into the car.
The engine roared.
The vehicle reversed so violently that one tire struck the curb. It sped down the street and vanished tire struck the curb. It sped down the street and vanished around the corner.
I stood on the porch, breathing hard.
Behind me, Margaret was crying.
I returned around the corner.
I stood on the porch, breathing hard.
Behind me, Margaret was crying.
I returned to the study.
She was still sitting in the chair, pressing a towel against her forehead. Tessa knelt beside her, to the study.
She was still sitting in the chair, pressing a towel against her forehead. Tessa knelt beside her, speaking quietly while I gathered the scattered papers.
Some had been torn.
Others were speaking quietly while I gathered the scattered papers.
Some had been torn.
Others were intact.
The medication order was gone.
But beneath the clock, I found a folded sheet covered in my intact.
The medication order was gone.
But beneath the clock, I found a folded sheet covered in my mother's handwriting.
At the top were three words.
*If they return.*
I unfolded mother's handwriting.
At the top were three words.
*If they return.*
I unfolded it.
*Margaret, if Daniel comes asking for the records, give it.
Margaret, if Daniel comes asking for the records, give him nothing. If Elliot comes, tell him the truth him nothing. If Elliot comes, tell him the truth. If Nessa comes, give her the choice I never had.
The original was not the only copy.
. If Nessa comes, give her the choice I never had.*
The original was not the only copy.
I read the last line twice.
Then I looked at Margaret.
"Where is the other copy?""
She closed her eyes.
"II read the last line twice.
Then I looked at Margaret.
"Where is the other copy?""
She closed her eyes.
"I don't know.""
"You said my mother left the records in the clock.""
"She don't know.""
"You said my mother left the records in the clock.""
"She left some records.""
"Then where is the rest?""
Margaret began to cry left some records.""
"Then where is the rest?""
Margaret began to cry harder.
"I was supposed to protect them. I promised Elaine I would.""
"Protect them from whom harder.
"I was supposed to protect them. I promised Elaine I would.""
"Protect them from whom?""
She opened her eyes.
"From Lorraine.""
My aunt's name?""
She opened her eyes.
"From Lorraine.""
My aunt's name seemed to darken the room.
Margaret reached for my hand.
"Nessa, your seemed to darken the room.
Margaret reached for my hand.
"Nessa, your mother discovered that the money stolen from Elliot's inheritance had been transferred into accounts controlled by your mother discovered that the money stolen from Elliot's inheritance had been transferred into accounts controlled by your aunt. Daniel helped move it. When Elaine confronted them, they convinced her that aunt.
Daniel helped move it. When Elaine confronted them, they convinced her that Elliot had stolen it himself.""
"And when she learned the truth?""
"She wanted to expose them.""
"Did Elliot had stolen it himself.""
"And when she learned the truth?""
"She wanted to expose them.""
"Did they kill her?""
Margaret's lips trembled.
"I don't know.""
"Did they change they kill her?""
Margaret's lips trembled.
"I don't know.""
"Did they change her medication?""
"I don't know.""
"Then what do you know?""
She her medication?""
"I don't know.""
"Then what do you know?""
She looked at the torn medication order lying near the desk.
"I know your mother called me the looked at the torn medication order lying near the desk.
"I know your mother called me the night before she died. She said she had found something that could put Lorraine in prison.""
I leaned night before she died. She said she had found something that could put Lorraine in prison.""
I leaned closer.
"What?""
Margaret swallowed.
"A recording.""
The room fell silent.
"What closer.
"What?""
Margaret swallowed.
"A recording.""
The room fell silent.
"What recording?""
"Your mother said she had recorded a conversation between Lorraine and Daniel. She said it proved they had been recording?""
"Your mother said she had recorded a conversation between Lorraine and Daniel. She said it proved they had been working together for years.""
"Where is it?""
Margaret shook her head.
"She never told me.""
working together for years.""
"Where is it?""
Margaret shook her head.
"She never told me.""
I felt the last of my patience unravel.
"Everyone keeps telling me there is evidence, but nobody knows where it is!""
"Because ElaineI felt the last of my patience unravel.
"Everyone keeps telling me there is evidence, but nobody knows where it is!""
"Because Elaine was frightened," Margaret whispered.
"She didn't trust anyone. Not even me.""
I looked toward the open clock was frightened," Margaret whispered.
"She didn't trust anyone. Not even me.""
I looked toward the open clock.
"Then why did she leave the records here?""
"Because she believed the one person Lorraine would never suspect was an old woman with nothing.
"Then why did she leave the records here?""
"Because she believed the one person Lorraine would never suspect was an old woman with nothing left to lose.""
Margaret's eyes moved toward the doorway.
"And because she thought Elliot would come back.""
I looked at the left to lose.""
Margaret's eyes moved toward the doorway.
"And because she thought Elliot would come back.""
I looked at the photograph on the mantelpiece.
My parents, young and smiling, standing together photograph on the mantelpiece.
My parents, young and smiling, standing together outside the house.
"Did my father know about the recording?""
"Yes.""
"Then why didn't he tell outside the house.
"Did my father know about the recording?""
"Yes.""
"Then why didn't he tell me?""
"Because he was trying to find it before Lorraine did.""
A siren sounded in the distance.
The me?""
"Because he was trying to find it before Lorraine did.""
A siren sounded in the distance.
The police were arriving.
I looked at the papers in my hands.
One document listed police were arriving.
I looked at the papers in my hands.
One document listed the hospital's medication orders.
Another contained a bank transfer from an account I didn't recognize.
And the hospital's medication orders.
Another contained a bank transfer from an account I didn't recognize.
And the third was a photocopy of a letter addressed to my mother, written by Daniel two months before her death.
the third was a photocopy of a letter addressed to my mother, written by Daniel two months before her death.
I unfolded it.
Elaine,
*I have done what you asked. LorraineI unfolded it.
Elaine,
I have done what you asked. Lorraine believes the documents are gone. Elliot will never be able to prove where the money went.
But believes the documents are gone. Elliot will never be able to prove where the money went.
But you and I both know that if you reveal what happened, Nessa will be the one who suffers.
you and I both know that if you reveal what happened, Nessa will be the one who suffers.*
Please think carefully before you decide to destroy everything.
Daniel.
I loweredPlease think carefully before you decide to destroy everything.
Daniel.
I lowered the letter.
He hadn't written that he was sorry.
He hadn't written that he was afraid.
He had the letter.
He hadn't written that he was sorry.
He hadn't written that he was afraid.
He had written that my mother was threatening to reveal the truth, and he had warned her that written that my mother was threatening to reveal the truth, and he had warned her that I would suffer if she did.
I looked at Margaret.
"Did my mother die because she was I would suffer if she did.
I looked at Margaret.
"Did my mother die because she was going to expose them?""
Margaret's answer came quietly.
"I think she may have.""
Outside, police going to expose them?""
Margaret's answer came quietly.
"I think she may have.""
Outside, police officers rushed through the front gate.
Tessa moved toward me.
"Are you hurt?""
I shook my head.
"I'm officers rushed through the front gate.
Tessa moved toward me.
"Are you hurt?""
I shook my head.
"I'm fine.""
But I wasn't.
I was standing in the house where my father had hidden the fine.""
But I wasn't.
I was standing in the house where my father had hidden the truth, holding a letter that suggested my husband had helped bury it.
And as the officers began searching truth, holding a letter that suggested my husband had helped bury it.
And as the officers began searching the property, Margaret reached for my wrist.
"Nessa," she whispered.
"There's one more thing you the property, Margaret reached for my wrist.
"Nessa," she whispered.
"There's one more thing you need to know about your father.""
I turned.
"Tell me.""
She swallowed.
need to know about your father.""
I turned.
"Tell me.""
She swallowed.
"The man who was with Daniel today wasn't working for him.""
"Then who was he working for?""
Marg"The man who was with Daniel today wasn't working for him.""
"Then who was he working for?""
Margaret looked toward the street where the black car had disappeared.
"Your aunt Lorrainearet looked toward the street where the black car had disappeared.
"Your aunt Lorraine.""
And just as she said it, my phone rang.
An unknown number.
I answered.
A.""
And just as she said it, my phone rang.
An unknown number.
I answered.
A man's voice whispered through the speaker.
"Nessa, it's Elliot.""
I nearly dropped the phone.
"Where are you?""
"I don't have much time.""
man's voice whispered through the speaker.
"Nessa, it's Elliot.""
I nearly dropped the phone.
"Where are you?""
"I don't have much time.""
"Are you hurt?""
"No. But you need to listen carefully.""
I moved"Are you hurt?""
"No. But you need to listen carefully.""
I moved away from the officers.
"Tell me where you are. I'll come get you.""
"No.""
"Dad— away from the officers.
"Tell me where you are. I'll come get you.""
"No.""
"Dad—"
The word escaped before I could stop it.
He went silent.
When he spoke again, his voice had broken"
The word escaped before I could stop it.
He went silent.
When he spoke again, his voice had broken.
"I never thought I'd hear you call me that.""
My eyes filled with tears.
"Please tell me where you are.
"I never thought I'd hear you call me that.""
My eyes filled with tears.
"Please tell me where you are.""
"I can't. Not yet.""
"Why?""
"Because Lorraine knows you've found the records.""
I looked.""
"I can't. Not yet.""
"Why?""
"Because Lorraine knows you've found the records.""
I looked at the torn medication order.
"She knows everything.""
"No," he said.
"Not everything.""
A at the torn medication order.
"She knows everything.""
"No," he said.
"Not everything.""
A pause.
Then he whispered the words that made my blood turn cold.
"Your mother wasn't the only person they tried pause.
Then he whispered the words that made my blood turn cold.
"Your mother wasn't the only person they tried to silence.""
The call ended.
And before I could call him back, Detective Pike appeared in the doorway, holding a photograph to silence.""
The call ended.
And before I could call him back, Detective Pike appeared in the doorway, holding a photograph.
It showed my mother standing outside the hospital on the night she died.
Beside her was a young woman.
It showed my mother standing outside the hospital on the night she died.
Beside her was a young woman I recognized immediately.
My aunt Lorraine.
But the date printed on the photograph was impossible.
It I recognized immediately.
My aunt Lorraine.
But the date printed on the photograph was impossible.
May you like
It had been taken three days after my mother was pronounced dead.
had been taken three days after my mother was pronounced dead.
