Chapter 11 - THE SON WHO KNEW
Daniel surrendered the next morning.
Not to local police.
To the FBI.
He walked into a federal building carrying a sealed envelope.
Inside was a letter from Michael to Robert Mercer.
The letter proved Michael and Daniel had met.
Daniel had been twenty-four.
Michael had approached him after learning Robert feared Margaret.
Michael believed Daniel might help.
He was wrong.
Daniel had been terrified of his mother.
He told her everything.
Days later, Robert died.
Months later, Michael died.
Claire sat across from Daniel in an interrogation room.
He looked smaller without the suit.
Without the smile.
Without control.
“You knew Michael.”
“Yes.”
“You knew who I was when you met me.”
“Yes.”
“And you still came into my life.”
“Yes.”
Claire wanted to hit him.
Instead, she asked, “Why?”
“My mother told me Michael had hidden evidence.”
“So you dated his widow?”
Daniel looked down.
“At first.”
“At first?”
“I wasn't supposed to fall in love with you.”
Claire's face hardened.
“Don't.”
“I did.”
“Don't call what you did love.”
Daniel's eyes filled.
“I tried to delay everything.”
“You drugged me.”
“My mother said if I didn't—”
“You drugged me.”
“Yes.”
“You planned to have me committed.”
“Yes.”
“You grabbed my daughter.”
Daniel looked away.
Claire leaned forward.
“Look at me.”
He did.
“She trusted you.”
“I know.”
“She called you Dad.”
Daniel's face broke.
“I know.”
“And you used that.”
“I know.”
Claire stood.
There was nothing else she needed from him.
Then Daniel said, “The ring.”
Claire stopped.
“What about it?”
“My mother carried Rebecca's ring because she wanted me to remember what happens when I fail.”
Claire turned.
“She killed Rebecca?”
Daniel closed his eyes.
“I found Rebecca unconscious.”
Claire waited.
“My mother was there.”
“And?”
“She told me Rebecca had taken pills.”
“Did you believe her?”
“At first.”
“And later?”
Daniel whispered, “No.”
Claire felt sick.
“You protected her.”
“Yes.”
“For nine years.”
“Yes.”
Claire walked toward the door.
“Claire.”
She stopped.
“My mother isn't running.”
Claire turned.
Daniel's face was pale.
“She never runs.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means if she disappeared…”
He swallowed.
“…she's finishing something.”
Claire's phone rang.
Rachel.
Claire answered.
Rachel was screaming.
“Claire!”
“What happened?”
“Lily's gone.”
The world stopped.
“What?”
“She was in the backyard for two minutes.”
Claire couldn't breathe.
“Rachel—”
“I found her bracelet by the gate.”
Claire looked at Daniel.
His face went white.
Then Rachel said the words Claire would remember forever.
“There was a note.”
“What does it say?”
May you like
Rachel sobbed.
“Bring Michael's files if you want your daughter back.”
