Chapter 8: The Video Vanessa## Chapter 8: The Video Vanessa Used Against My Used Against My Daughter
"She said it's a video of Mom.""
Emily's words Daughter
"She said it's a video of Mom.""
Emily's words stayed with me long after the call ended.
Sarah had been gone for five years stayed with me long after the call ended.
Sarah had been gone for five years.
Emily had only a handful of memories of her mother. A few photographs. A favorite bedtime.
Emily had only a handful of memories of her mother. A few photographs. A favorite bedtime story.
The smell of the perfume Sarah used to wear. And an old recording of her singing while making pancakes.
To Emily, those memories were priceless.
Vanessa knew that.
And she story. The smell of the perfume Sarah used to wear. And an old recording of her singing while making pancakes.
To Emily, those memories were priceless.
Vanessa knew that.
And she was using them.
I called Laura back.
"Listen carefully. Don't let Vanessa speak to Emily again.""
"She's already tried twice," Laura said.
"I blocked her number.""
"Good. Keep Emily with you. I'll come over as soon as I can.""
"Daniel, was using them.
I called Laura back.
"Listen carefully. Don't let Vanessa speak to Emily again.""
"She's already tried twice," Laura said.
"I blocked her number.""
"Good. Keep Emily with you. I'll come over as soon as I can.""
"Daniel, what is happening?""
I looked across Michael's conference room.
Margaret was holding Sarah's letter against her chest.
"Something I what is happening?""
I looked across Michael's conference room.
Margaret was holding Sarah's letter against her chest.
"Something I should have discovered a long time ago.""
I ended the call.
Michael stood up.
"Daniel, I want you to be careful. If Vanessa has a recording, we need to establish where it came from and whether it's being should have discovered a long time ago.""
I ended the call.
Michael stood up.
"Daniel, I want you to be careful. If Vanessa has a recording, we need to establish where it came from and whether it's being used to pressure Emily.""
"I understand.""
Margaret looked at me.
"Sarah made several recordings for Emily before she died. She wanted her daughter to have something to used to pressure Emily.""
"I understand.""
Margaret looked at me.
"Sarah made several recordings for Emily before she died. She wanted her daughter to have something to remember her by.""
"Do you have copies?""
"Some. Sarah gave me a small USB drive.""
"Where is it?""
Margaret opened her handbag and removed a tiny remember her by.""
"Do you have copies?""
"Some. Sarah gave me a small USB drive.""
"Where is it?""
Margaret opened her handbag and removed a tiny silver USB drive attached to a keychain.
"I kept it safe.""
I took it carefully.
"Have you watched it?""
"Yes. Sarah recorded three silver USB drive attached to a keychain.
"I kept it safe.""
I took it carefully.
"Have you watched it?""
"Yes. Sarah recorded three messages. One for Emily's tenth birthday, one for her twelfth birthday, and one for when she turned eighteen.""
I looked at the drive.
" messages. One for Emily's tenth birthday, one for her twelfth birthday, and one for when she turned eighteen.""
I looked at the drive.
"Vanessa must have another copy.""
Margaret nodded.
"Or she has the original.""
Michael interrupted.
"Before anyone watches anything, makeVanessa must have another copy.""
Margaret nodded.
"Or she has the original.""
Michael interrupted.
"Before anyone watches anything, make a copy and preserve the original. We need to know whether Vanessa has altered or edited it.""
I nodded.
Then my phone rang.
An a copy and preserve the original. We need to know whether Vanessa has altered or edited it.""
I nodded.
Then my phone rang.
An unknown number.
I answered.
"Hello?""
A man's voice came through.
"Mr. Carter? My name is Andrew Lewis. I'm calling from Westbrook Preparatory Academy.""
I frowned.
"How unknown number.
I answered.
"Hello?""
A man's voice came through.
"Mr. Carter? My name is Andrew Lewis. I'm calling from Westbrook Preparatory Academy.""
I frowned.
"How can I help you?""
"We received a request to confirm an enrollment appointment for Emily Carter. Your wife said she had your authorization.""
I felt my jaw tighten.
"I can I help you?""
"We received a request to confirm an enrollment appointment for Emily Carter. Your wife said she had your authorization.""
I felt my jaw tighten.
"I did not authorize any enrollment.""
There was a pause.
"That's what we were concerned about.""
"Why?""
"Because Mrs. Carter has also submitted did not authorize any enrollment.""
There was a pause.
"That's what we were concerned about.""
"Why?""
"Because Mrs. Carter has also submitted several documents describing Emily as a child who requires immediate residential placement.""
I closed my eyes.
"Has the school contacted Vanessa?""
"Yes. She called several documents describing Emily as a child who requires immediate residential placement.""
I closed my eyes.
"Has the school contacted Vanessa?""
"Yes. She called this morning and asked whether we could arrange transportation for Monday.""
My blood ran cold.
"Transportation?""
"She said she was planning this morning and asked whether we could arrange transportation for Monday.""
My blood ran cold.
"Transportation?""
"She said she was planning to bring Emily herself.""
I stood.
"Cancel the appointment. No one is authorized to collect my daughter or enroll her in your school.""
to bring Emily herself.""
I stood.
"Cancel the appointment. No one is authorized to collect my daughter or enroll her in your school.""
"Understood, sir.""
"Please send me copies of every document submitted.""
"We can arrange"Understood, sir.""
"Please send me copies of every document submitted.""
"We can arrange that.""
After the call, Michael immediately began making notes.
"Monday," he said.
I nodded.
Vanessa had given that.""
After the call, Michael immediately began making notes.
"Monday," he said.
I nodded.
Vanessa had given herself a deadline.
And she was still trying to get Emily out of the house.
I left the office and drove straight to Laura's home.
Emily was sitting on the living room herself a deadline.
And she was still trying to get Emily out of the house.
I left the office and drove straight to Laura's home.
Emily was sitting on the living room carpet when I arrived.
She was wearing pink socks and holding a stuffed rabbit.
The moment she saw me, she stood.
"Dad!""
I opened my arms.
She ran into them.
I held her tightly.
"Hey, sweetheart.""
She carpet when I arrived.
She was wearing pink socks and holding a stuffed rabbit.
The moment she saw me, she stood.
"Dad!""
I opened my arms.
She ran into them.
I held her tightly.
"Hey, sweetheart.""
She pulled back.
"Did you find the video?""
I knelt.
"Not yet.""
Her face fell.
"She said Mom wanted pulled back.
"Did you find the video?""
I knelt.
"Not yet.""
Her face fell.
"She said Mom wanted me to have it.""
I brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
"Your mother left you something. We have it.""
Emily's eyes widened.
"Really?""
I me to have it.""
I brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
"Your mother left you something. We have it.""
Emily's eyes widened.
"Really?""
I nodded.
"Aunt Margaret has recordings Sarah made for you.""
Emily looked toward the hallway.
"Mom's sister?""
"Yes.""
Margaret stepped into the living room.
Emily stared at her.
For a moment, neither moved nodded.
"Aunt Margaret has recordings Sarah made for you.""
Emily looked toward the hallway.
"Mom's sister?""
"Yes.""
Margaret stepped into the living room.
Emily stared at her.
For a moment, neither moved.
Then Margaret knelt.
"Hello, sweetheart.""
Emily looked uncertain.
"Do you know my mom?""
Margaret smiled through tears.
"I knew her better than anyone.""
Emily.
Then Margaret knelt.
"Hello, sweetheart.""
Emily looked uncertain.
"Do you know my mom?""
Margaret smiled through tears.
"I knew her better than anyone.""
Emily approached slowly.
Margaret opened her arms.
"Would you like a hug?""
Emily nodded.
The moment she was embraced, she began crying.
"Why didn't you come to see me?""
Margaret closed approached slowly.
Margaret opened her arms.
"Would you like a hug?""
Emily nodded.
The moment she was embraced, she began crying.
"Why didn't you come to see me?""
Margaret closed her eyes.
"I wanted to, sweetheart. I tried. I promise I tried.""
Emily held her tighter.
"Did Mom know her eyes.
"I wanted to, sweetheart. I tried. I promise I tried.""
Emily held her tighter.
"Did Mom know you loved me?""
Margaret kissed the top of her head.
"Every single day.""
I turned away.
I couldn't watch without feeling my own eyes you loved me?""
Margaret kissed the top of her head.
"Every single day.""
I turned away.
I couldn't watch without feeling my own eyes fill.
That evening, Margaret and I sat with Emily at Laura's kitchen table.
We connected the USB drive to a laptop.
There were three video files.
The first was fill.
That evening, Margaret and I sat with Emily at Laura's kitchen table.
We connected the USB drive to a laptop.
There were three video files.
The first was labeled:
*Emily — Age 10.*
The second:
*Emily — Age 12.*
The third:
*Emily — When You're 18.*
Emily touched the screen.
"That's labeled:
*Emily — Age 10.*
The second:
*Emily — Age 12.*
The third:
*Emily — When You're 18.*
Emily touched the screen.
"That's Mom.""
I opened the second video.
Sarah appeared.
She was sitting on our old living room couch, wearing a blue sweater.
Her hair was shorter than I remembered.
She looked tired.
But she was smiling.
"Hello, my beautiful girl.""
Emily covered her mouth.
Sarah continued.
"If you're watching this, you're twelve years old. I Mom.""
I opened the second video.
Sarah appeared.
She was sitting on our old living room couch, wearing a blue sweater.
Her hair was shorter than I remembered.
She looked tired.
But she was smiling.
"Hello, my beautiful girl.""
Emily covered her mouth.
Sarah continued.
"If you're watching this, you're twelve years old. I hope you've had a wonderful birthday. I hope your dad bought you too much cake and let you stay up later than you should.""
Emily laughed through her tears.
"That's exactly what Dad hope you've had a wonderful birthday. I hope your dad bought you too much cake and let you stay up later than you should.""
Emily laughed through her tears.
"That's exactly what Dad does.""
Sarah smiled at the camera.
"I know he does.""
Then Sarah's expression became more serious.
"Emily, I want you to remember something. You never have to earn love. Not from your dad.
Not from me. Not does.""
Sarah smiled at the camera.
"I know he does.""
Then Sarah's expression became more serious.
"Emily, I want you to remember something. You never have to earn love. Not from your dad.
Not from me. Not from anyone.""
I felt my throat tighten.
Sarah continued.
"If someone makes you feel small, or tells you that you are difficult to love, please don't believe them. You are not responsible for making grown-ups happy.""
Emily looked at me.
I took her hand.
On from anyone.""
I felt my throat tighten.
Sarah continued.
"If someone makes you feel small, or tells you that you are difficult to love, please don't believe them. You are not responsible for making grown-ups happy.""
Emily looked at me.
I took her hand.
On the screen, Sarah reached toward the camera.
"Your dad is a good man. Sometimes he gets too busy, and sometimes he worries too much. But he loves you more than anything in the world.""
Emily smiled.
Then Sarah said something unexpected the screen, Sarah reached toward the camera.
"Your dad is a good man. Sometimes he gets too busy, and sometimes he worries too much. But he loves you more than anything in the world.""
Emily smiled.
Then Sarah said something unexpected.
"There's one more thing. If you ever feel unsafe, tell your dad. Tell Aunt Margaret.
Tell someone you trust. You don't have to protect anyone's secrets when those.
"There's one more thing. If you ever feel unsafe, tell your dad. Tell Aunt Margaret.
Tell someone you trust. You don't have to protect anyone's secrets when those secrets are hurting you.""
The video ended.
Emily was crying.
So was Margaret.
I sat very still.
Sarah had known.
Maybe not exactly what would happen, but she had understood the danger.
She had prepared her daughter to recognize it secrets are hurting you.""
The video ended.
Emily was crying.
So was Margaret.
I sat very still.
Sarah had known.
Maybe not exactly what would happen, but she had understood the danger.
She had prepared her daughter to recognize it.
Emily wiped her cheeks.
"Can I watch it again?""
"Of course," I said.
We watched it twice more.
Then I copied the videos onto two separate drives.
I wanted Emily to have them.
I also wanted to make sure Vanessa.
Emily wiped her cheeks.
"Can I watch it again?""
"Of course," I said.
We watched it twice more.
Then I copied the videos onto two separate drives.
I wanted Emily to have them.
I also wanted to make sure Vanessa could never use them as leverage again.
But the third video caught my attention.
*Emily — When You're 18.*
I hesitated.
Margaret touched my arm.
"Sarah wanted that one saved until Emily was older could never use them as leverage again.
But the third video caught my attention.
*Emily — When You're 18.*
I hesitated.
Margaret touched my arm.
"Sarah wanted that one saved until Emily was older.""
Emily looked at the screen.
"Can we watch it?""
I shook my head gently.
"Not yet, sweetheart. That's a message for your.""
Emily looked at the screen.
"Can we watch it?""
I shook my head gently.
"Not yet, sweetheart. That's a message for your eighteenth birthday.""
She considered that.
"Okay.""
I closed the laptop.
For the first time in days, Emily looked peaceful.
Then my phone rang.
Vanessa.
I stepped into the hallway and answered.
"What?""
Her voice was unusually soft.
"Daniel, I want to talk.""
"About eighteenth birthday.""
She considered that.
"Okay.""
I closed the laptop.
For the first time in days, Emily looked peaceful.
Then my phone rang.
Vanessa.
I stepped into the hallway and answered.
"What?""
Her voice was unusually soft.
"Daniel, I want to talk.""
"About what?""
"Emily.""
"You've had plenty of opportunities to speak about Emily. You chose to threaten her instead.""
She sighed.
"You're misunderstanding everything.""
"Stop saying that.""
"I found what?""
"Emily.""
"You've had plenty of opportunities to speak about Emily. You chose to threaten her instead.""
She sighed.
"You're misunderstanding everything.""
"Stop saying that.""
"I found something Sarah left behind. Something Emily deserves to see.""
"She has her mother's recordings.""
There was silence.
Then Vanessa laughed something Sarah left behind. Something Emily deserves to see.""
"She has her mother's recordings.""
There was silence.
Then Vanessa laughed.
"Those little birthday videos?""
My blood went cold.
"How do you know about them?""
"Because I have the.
"Those little birthday videos?""
My blood went cold.
"How do you know about them?""
"Because I have the original recordings.""
"Where?""
"At home.""
"Then give them to me.""
"Not until you listen original recordings.""
"Where?""
"At home.""
"Then give them to me.""
"Not until you listen.""
I looked toward the living room.
Emily was laughing at something Laura had said.
I lowered my voice.
"What do you want?""
"Come home tonight. Alone.""
.""
I looked toward the living room.
Emily was laughing at something Laura had said.
I lowered my voice.
"What do you want?""
"Come home tonight. Alone.""
"No.""
"Then I'll know you aren't interested in hearing the truth.""
"What truth?""
Vanessa paused.
Then she said:
"Sarah didn't die believing you were the right person to raise Emily.""
I felt my"No.""
"Then I'll know you aren't interested in hearing the truth.""
"What truth?""
Vanessa paused.
Then she said:
"Sarah didn't die believing you were the right person to raise Emily.""
I felt my chest tighten.
"You're lying.""
"Am I?""
"Don't use Sarah against me.""
"Ask Margaret what Sarah said about you.""
I turned toward the living room.
Margaret was watching me.
Her expression suggested she chest tighten.
"You're lying.""
"Am I?""
"Don't use Sarah against me.""
"Ask Margaret what Sarah said about you.""
I turned toward the living room.
Margaret was watching me.
Her expression suggested she had heard enough to understand.
Vanessa continued.
"Ask her why Sarah wanted a different guardian.""
I ended the call.
For several seconds, I stood motionless.
Then Margaret came into the hallway.
"What did she say?""
I told her.
Marg had heard enough to understand.
Vanessa continued.
"Ask her why Sarah wanted a different guardian.""
I ended the call.
For several seconds, I stood motionless.
Then Margaret came into the hallway.
"What did she say?""
I told her.
Margaret closed her eyes.
"She's using the old argument.""
"What argument?""
Margaret looked at me.
"Sarah never wanted to take Emily away from you.""
"Then why is Vanessa saying that?""
"Because Saraharet closed her eyes.
"She's using the old argument.""
"What argument?""
Margaret looked at me.
"Sarah never wanted to take Emily away from you.""
"Then why is Vanessa saying that?""
"Because Sarah once asked me to help her create a backup plan. You were working constantly, and she was afraid that if her health deteriorated, Emily would have no one available to care for her.""
I stared at her.
"But I was there once asked me to help her create a backup plan. You were working constantly, and she was afraid that if her health deteriorated, Emily would have no one available to care for her.""
I stared at her.
"But I was there.""
"I know. Sarah knew that too. She wasn't questioning your love. She was planning for every possibility.""
I rubbed my forehead.
"Why.""
"I know. Sarah knew that too. She wasn't questioning your love. She was planning for every possibility.""
I rubbed my forehead.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because Sarah made me promise not to frighten you unless it became necessary.""
I looked down.
Marg didn't you tell me?""
"Because Sarah made me promise not to frighten you unless it became necessary.""
I looked down.
Margaret continued.
"Vanessa knows that story. She knows she can twist it into something ugly.""
My phone vibrated again.
A message from Vanessa.
It contained a photograph.
Aaret continued.
"Vanessa knows that story. She knows she can twist it into something ugly.""
My phone vibrated again.
A message from Vanessa.
It contained a photograph.
A scanned document.
At the top was Sarah's name.
Beneath it was a paragraph stating that Sarah had considered appointing another guardian for Emily if scanned document.
At the top was Sarah's name.
Beneath it was a paragraph stating that Sarah had considered appointing another guardian for Emily if her health deteriorated.
The document had no signature from a lawyer.
No witness.
No date of execution.
But there was a handwritten note.
Daniel is too emotionally attached to be objective.
I stared at it.
Margaret took the phone her health deteriorated.
The document had no signature from a lawyer.
No witness.
No date of execution.
But there was a handwritten note.
Daniel is too emotionally attached to be objective.
I stared at it.
Margaret took the phone.
Her face changed immediately.
"That's not Sarah's handwriting.""
I looked at her.
"What?""
She enlarged the photograph.
"Look at the capital letters. Sarah never.
Her face changed immediately.
"That's not Sarah's handwriting.""
I looked at her.
"What?""
She enlarged the photograph.
"Look at the capital letters. Sarah never wrote her D like that.""
I remembered the forged-looking estate document.
The proposed guardianship.
The altered dates.
I forwarded the photograph to Michael.
Then I called wrote her D like that.""
I remembered the forged-looking estate document.
The proposed guardianship.
The altered dates.
I forwarded the photograph to Michael.
Then I called him.
"Michael, I need you to look at something immediately.""
He answered on the second ring.
I sent the image.
There was a long pause.
Then he said:
"Daniel, don't respond to Vanessa.""
"Why?""
"Because this document may be an him.
"Michael, I need you to look at something immediately.""
He answered on the second ring.
I sent the image.
There was a long pause.
Then he said:
"Daniel, don't respond to Vanessa.""
"Why?""
"Because this document may be an attempted forgery. I want the original examined.""
My phone vibrated again.
Another message.
This time it was a voice recording.
I pressed play.
Sarah's voice filled the hallway.
But something attempted forgery. I want the original examined.""
My phone vibrated again.
Another message.
This time it was a voice recording.
I pressed play.
Sarah's voice filled the hallway.
But something sounded wrong.
The recording was only a few seconds long.
"Daniel isn't capable of raising Emily alone.""
Then silence.
I listened again sounded wrong.
The recording was only a few seconds long.
"Daniel isn't capable of raising Emily alone.""
Then silence.
I listened again.
Margaret grabbed my arm.
"That's not a complete sentence.""
I replayed it.
There was a strange cut before the final word.
Michael was.
Margaret grabbed my arm.
"That's not a complete sentence.""
I replayed it.
There was a strange cut before the final word.
Michael was still on the phone.
"Daniel, do not circulate that recording. It may have been edited. Preserve the original message and let still on the phone.
"Daniel, do not circulate that recording. It may have been edited. Preserve the original message and let an expert examine it.""
I ended the recording.
Then another message appeared.
*Vanessa: Now do you understand why Sarah wanted me to take an expert examine it.""
I ended the recording.
Then another message appeared.
*Vanessa: Now do you understand why Sarah wanted me to take care of Emily?*
I looked toward the living room.
Emily was sitting beside Laura, watching the video of her mother again.
I walked over and sat beside her.
She leaned care of Emily?*
I looked toward the living room.
Emily was sitting beside Laura, watching the video of her mother again.
I walked over and sat beside her.
She leaned against me.
"Dad?""
"Yes?""
"Can I keep Mom's video?""
I kissed her forehead.
"Every single copy belongs to you.""
She smiled.
Then she against me.
"Dad?""
"Yes?""
"Can I keep Mom's video?""
I kissed her forehead.
"Every single copy belongs to you.""
She smiled.
Then she asked, "Can I ask Aunt Margaret something?""
"Of course.""
Margaret sat beside us.
Emily looked at her.
"Did Mom ever say she wanted me to asked, "Can I ask Aunt Margaret something?""
"Of course.""
Margaret sat beside us.
Emily looked at her.
"Did Mom ever say she wanted me to live somewhere else?""
Margaret's eyes filled.
"No, sweetheart. Never.""
"Did she want me to leave Dad?""
"Absolutely not.""
Emily looked at me.
"Then why does Vanessa keep saying that?""
I live somewhere else?""
Margaret's eyes filled.
"No, sweetheart. Never.""
"Did she want me to leave Dad?""
"Absolutely not.""
Emily looked at me.
"Then why does Vanessa keep saying that?""
I held her hand.
"Because sometimes people tell lies to get what they want.""
She thought about that.
Then she leaned against my shoulder.
"I don't want to hear her voice anymore.""
I kissed the top held her hand.
"Because sometimes people tell lies to get what they want.""
She thought about that.
Then she leaned against my shoulder.
"I don't want to hear her voice anymore.""
I kissed the top of her head.
"You don't have to.""
That night, I returned home with Laura.
I wanted to collect some of Emily's belongings and make sure Vanessa couldn't interfere with the arrangements.
The house was dark.
I walked into the living room.
The dining table had been cleared.
The chipped bowl was missing of her head.
"You don't have to.""
That night, I returned home with Laura.
I wanted to collect some of Emily's belongings and make sure Vanessa couldn't interfere with the arrangements.
The house was dark.
I walked into the living room.
The dining table had been cleared.
The chipped bowl was missing from the cabinet.
I went upstairs.
Emily's bedroom door was open.
Her bed was made.
Her schoolbooks were stacked neatly.
But the small photograph of Sarah had disappeared.
I checked the desk.
Then the drawers.
Nothing.
I called out.
"Van from the cabinet.
I went upstairs.
Emily's bedroom door was open.
Her bed was made.
Her schoolbooks were stacked neatly.
But the small photograph of Sarah had disappeared.
I checked the desk.
Then the drawers.
Nothing.
I called out.
"Vanessa?""
No answer.
I went to the master bedroom.
Her wardrobe was open.
Several suitcases were missing.
Then I noticed a white envelope on the bed.
My name was written across it.
I opened it.
Inside was a printed photograph of Emilyessa?""
No answer.
I went to the master bedroom.
Her wardrobe was open.
Several suitcases were missing.
Then I noticed a white envelope on the bed.
My name was written across it.
I opened it.
Inside was a printed photograph of Emily.
She was standing in the driveway at Laura's house.
The picture had been taken that afternoon.
Beneath it was a handwritten message.
*You should have.
She was standing in the driveway at Laura's house.
The picture had been taken that afternoon.
Beneath it was a handwritten message.
You should have brought her home when I asked.
I stared at the photograph.
The image had been taken from the street.
Someone had been watching my daughter.
Then I noticed a second page.
It was a photocopy of an airline reservation.
One brought her home when I asked.*
I stared at the photograph.
The image had been taken from the street.
Someone had been watching my daughter.
Then I noticed a second page.
It was a photocopy of an airline reservation.
One passenger.
Vanessa Reed Carter.
Destination: Boston.
Departure: Sunday evening.
At the bottom, she had written:
Before you destroy my life, Daniel, find out what Margaret has been hiding.
I called Michael immediately passenger.
Vanessa Reed Carter.
Destination: Boston.
Departure: Sunday evening.
At the bottom, she had written:
Before you destroy my life, Daniel, find out what Margaret has been hiding.
I called Michael immediately.
He answered.
"Daniel?""
"Vanessa has been watching Emily.""
His voice sharpened.
"What?""
I explained the photograph and.
He answered.
"Daniel?""
"Vanessa has been watching Emily.""
His voice sharpened.
"What?""
I explained the photograph and showed him the reservation.
"Preserve it," he said.
"I'll contact the appropriate authorities about the photograph and the possible harassment. Don't approach Vanessa showed him the reservation.
"Preserve it," he said.
"I'll contact the appropriate authorities about the photograph and the possible harassment. Don't approach Vanessa alone.""
I nodded.
Then I noticed something else on the bed.
A small key.
Attached to it was a paper tag.
*STORAGE UNIT 214.*
I turned alone.""
I nodded.
Then I noticed something else on the bed.
A small key.
Attached to it was a paper tag.
*STORAGE UNIT 214.*
I turned it over.
On the back was another message.
Ask Margaret what Sarah kept in the red box.
I stared at the key.
The red box.
I looked at the it over.
On the back was another message.
Ask Margaret what Sarah kept in the red box.
I stared at the key.
The red box.
I looked at the hallway.
Then I called Margaret.
She answered immediately.
"Daniel?""
"What's the red box?""
There was a long silence.
Then she whispered:
"Oh, God hallway.
Then I called Margaret.
She answered immediately.
"Daniel?""
"What's the red box?""
There was a long silence.
Then she whispered:
"Oh, God.""
"What is it?""
"Sarah kept something in our father's old storage unit.""
"What?""
"Something she discovered about Vanessa..""
"What is it?""
"Sarah kept something in our father's old storage unit.""
"What?""
"Something she discovered about Vanessa. Something she said could prove everything.""
I looked at the key in my hand.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because Sarah made me promise not to open it unless Vanessa tried to take Emily away.""
I swallowed Something she said could prove everything.""
I looked at the key in my hand.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because Sarah made me promise not to open it unless Vanessa tried to take Emily away.""
I swallowed.
"Margaret, Vanessa knows about it.""
Margaret's voice trembled.
"Then we need to get there before she does.""
.
"Margaret, Vanessa knows about it.""
May you like
Margaret's voice trembled.
"Then we need to get there before she does.""
