Chapter 11 - SARAH’S FINAL VIDEO
Daniel did not bring Lily anywhere.
He called Alvarez.
She ordered him to stay home while officers traced Claire’s call.
Daniel hated waiting.
Lily sat beside him on the couch holding her stuffed rabbit.
“Daddy?”
“Yes?”
“Is Uncle Grant mad at me?”
Daniel looked at her.
“Why would you ask that?”
Lily rubbed one ear of the rabbit.
“Claire said Uncle Grant needed Mommy’s bird.”
Daniel felt cold.
“When did she tell you that?”
“When you were at work.”
Lily’s voice grew smaller.
“She said if I didn’t remember, something bad would happen to you.”
Daniel pulled her close.
“No secret is worth you being scared.”
Lily nodded.
Then she said something strange.
“Mommy said the same thing in the movie.”
Daniel stared.
“What movie?”
“The one in my music box.”
He carried her upstairs.
The music box had belonged to Sarah.
Daniel had seen it a hundred times.
Lily turned the tiny dancer three times and pressed the red painted bird on the lid.
A hidden slot opened underneath.
Inside was a microSD card.
Daniel’s hands shook.
He inserted it into his laptop.
Sarah appeared on the screen.
Alive.
Tired.
Terrified.
“Daniel, if you’re watching this, I didn’t get the chance to explain.”
Daniel covered his mouth.
Sarah continued.
“Grant has been stealing from the foundation for years.”
“Claire Bennett helped him create North Bridge.”
“I confronted Claire.”
“She said Grant threatened her, but I don’t know what to believe anymore.”
Daniel looked at Lily.
Sarah’s voice broke.
“I moved the proof somewhere Grant cannot access without Lily.”
“I hate that her name has to be connected to this.”
“But the trust is the only structure he cannot control.”
Then Sarah leaned closer to the camera.
“If something happens to me, do not believe it was an accident.”
The video glitched.
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One final sentence appeared before the file ended.
“And Daniel… Peter Reed is not protecting you.”
