My Daughter Pointed at My Wife and Whispered, “Daddy… She Was There When Mommy Died.” Then I Saw What She Was Hiding on the Table…

Nathan found Daniel in the parking garage twenty minutes later.

He was leaning against a concrete pillar, hands raised before Nathan even reached him.

"I wasn't stealing anything."

Nathan shoved him once.

"You ran from a detective."

"Because I panicked."

"Why were you following me?"

Daniel looked toward Ruiz, who stood ten feet away.

"Victoria called me last night."

Nathan went still.

"What did she say?"

"That Lily found something of Emma's. She said you were spiraling and might do something stupid. She asked me to make sure you didn't embarrass yourself."

"And you believed her?"

"She helped us after Emma died. She helped you."

"She threatened my daughter."

Daniel's face changed.

Ruiz stepped forward. "Mr. Hale, did Victoria tell you about locker 214?"

"No. I followed Nathan from the house."

"Why run?"

Daniel's jaw tightened.

"Because I knew I shouldn't be there."

Nathan wanted to believe him. Daniel had been reckless his whole life, but not cruel.

Then Ruiz asked, "Where were you the night Emma died?"

Daniel looked at Nathan.

Too slowly.

"Home."

"Can anyone confirm that?"

"No."

Nathan felt the first crack.

"Daniel."

His brother rubbed both hands over his face.

"I saw Victoria that night."

Nathan couldn't speak.

"Where?"

"At your house. Around ten. I came to return your drill. I saw her SUV in the driveway. I heard shouting through the side window. Emma was furious."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Daniel's eyes filled with shame.

"Because Victoria called me after the crash. She said Emma had been drinking, that they argued, and that if I told police she'd make sure they blamed you for the missing foundation money."

Nathan grabbed his jacket.

"You kept that from me for eleven months?"

"I was scared."

"Emma was dead."

Daniel whispered, "I know."

Ruiz's phone buzzed again.

She checked the screen.

"Nathan, we have another problem."