Chapter 10 - EMILY’S NAME
Rachel knew exactly where to cut him.
Daniel’s grief over Emily was no longer sharp every minute, but her name could still open a door inside him without warning.
“What are you talking about?”
Rachel looked at Officer Kim. “Can I leave now?”
The officer glanced at Dana, then at the tablet.
“We’ll document the property issue. You are not entering the house tonight.”
Rachel stepped backward.
Before she turned away, she looked at Daniel.
“Ask Dana about the letter.”
Then she left.
Daniel shut the door.
“What letter?” he asked.
Dana looked genuinely confused. “I don’t know.”
Noah whispered, “I do.”
They all turned.
“Aunt Rachel has a box from Mom.”
Daniel sat slowly.
“What box?”
“She keeps it in the guest closet. She said Mom gave it to her.”
After the locksmith finished, they searched the closet and found a cedar box hidden beneath a suitcase lining.
Inside were photographs, hospital bracelets from both children’s births, and a stack of letters tied with green ribbon.
One envelope had Daniel’s name.
His hands shook as he opened it.
Daniel,
If you are reading this, Rachel has decided to tell you something I could not say without destroying what was left of your family.
Daniel stopped.
Dana said gently, “You don’t have to read it tonight.”
“Yes, I do.”
He continued.
Rachel asked me for money again. I said no. She has debts you do not know about. She asked whether I would ever consider naming her trustee if you died. I told her absolutely not.
Daniel looked up.
Emily’s letter continued.
I am leaving a copy of the children’s trust instructions with my attorney because I no longer trust Rachel around financial documents.
At the bottom was a date.
Three days before Emily died.
Daniel looked at Dana.
“So Rachel lied.”
Dana nodded slowly.
“But that’s not the worst part.”
She held up a second envelope.
May you like
It was addressed to Peter Sloan.
And it had been opened.
