Chapter 4 - BEFORE SHE ARRIVES
The video began with a wide shot of the church entrance.
Victor stood beside a column with Hale. They thought the videographer was filming flowers.
"If she arrives, use the order before Daniel speaks to her."
Hale replied, "And if he recognizes her?"
"He won't. We made sure of that a long time ago."
Nobody in the parish office moved.
Victor's face turned gray. "That conversation is being taken out of context."
"Give me one context where it sounds good," Emily said.
The videographer pulled it against her chest. "Don't."
Daniel faced his father. "What did you make sure of?"
Victor's jaw tightened. "You were five. You were injured. Your mother was dangerous. I made decisions."
Mara stepped forward. "You told him I chose drugs over him."
Mara's voice shook. "Didn't he?"
Daniel remembered years of the same sentence: Your mother loved getting high more than she loved being a mother.
"Was that a lie?"
Victor finally snapped. "She had medication problems."
"After the crash," Mara said. "Pain medication. Prescribed medication. I asked for help getting off it. Victor turned treatment into evidence."
Alan picked up the protective order again. "This document has another problem."
"This prefix hasn't been used by the county in twelve years."
Alan continued, "And this judge retired last winter."
Daniel looked at Hale. "You forged a court order at my wedding?"
Emily's father immediately said, "Hands where I can see them."
But when Hale unlocked it, a message flashed across the screen.
BURN THE OLD FILE BEFORE HE GETS THERE.
DR. KESSLER.
Dr. Paul Kessler had been Daniel's family physician since childhood.
And according to Evelyn's letter, a doctor had signed the paper saying Mara was dead.
"Where are you going?" Emily asked.
"To find the doctor who buried my mother while she was still breathing."
"Daniel, Kessler is already here."
May you like
She pointed through the window toward the wedding reception tent.
The doctor was standing beside the champagne tower, watching them.
