Chapter 5 - ANNA KNEW
The blood in Michael's car belonged to a valet from Evelyn's luncheon.
The valet remembered Michael rushing into the garage after the ambulance left.
"He said his aunt forgot something."
"What did he take?" Collins asked.
"A small black pouch."
My emergency medication pouch.
The valet tried to stop him. Michael shoved him into a concrete pillar and drove away.
He abandoned the car at the airport to make it look as if he had fled.
Cell records said otherwise. His burner phone was still in the city.
Lily was breathing without oxygen by afternoon.
She studied my face.
"Did Grandma do it because of Mom's money?"
I wanted to say no.
Instead I said, "I don't know why she did it."
Lily looked at her hands.
"She told me Mommy wanted me to live with her."
"When?"
"Lots of times."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"She said it would make you sad."
Later, Margaret showed me an archived email Anna had sent before she died.
Mom has been pressuring me to change Lily's guardian. Michael has been asking about the trust. I found transfers I don't recognize. Please do not send anything to my house. I think someone is reading Daniel's mail.
Margaret also had a voicemail.
Anna's voice filled the room, weak but unmistakable.
"Dan, I found withdrawals from Lily's account. I think Michael started it. Mom knows. Don't confront them while I'm still here. Just protect Lily."
She coughed.
Then added:
"If you ever need proof, the blue box in the attic is not Christmas decorations."
I stood.
Michael had searched my house.
The attic ladder had been down when police arrived.
May you like
Then an unknown number texted me.
THE BLUE BOX IS ALREADY GONE.
