Chapter 2 - The Car Behind Her.

Daniel thought he had misunderstood.

The hallway lights seemed too bright, and the wheels of Rachel’s bed rattled against the floor as the medical team hurried toward radiology.

“What did you say?”

Rachel’s eyes fluttered.

“Black Mercedes.”

Evelyn owned a black Mercedes.

So did thousands of other people in the city.

Daniel told himself that immediately because the alternative was impossible.

Rachel swallowed hard.

“Same plate frame.”

The doors to imaging opened.

Dr. Park stopped Daniel with one raised hand.

“You cannot come farther.”

Daniel stood frozen as Rachel disappeared behind the doors.

When he turned around, Evelyn was walking quickly toward the elevators.

“Mom.”

She did not stop.

Daniel caught up with her near the nurses’ station.

“Rachel says you were following her.”

Evelyn turned slowly.

Her face had recovered its usual control.

“She has been pumped full of anesthesia and pain medication.”

“She knew your car.”

“She thinks I caused her accident now?”

Daniel searched his mother’s eyes.

“I did not say that.”

“You did not have to.”

Evelyn lowered her voice.

“That woman has spent three years turning you against your family.”

Daniel laughed once in disbelief.

“You just pressed down on her surgical wound.”

“She was exaggerating.”

“She is bleeding because of you.”

Evelyn’s jaw tightened.

“I lost my temper.”

“You could have killed her.”

A security officer approached them.

“Mr. Carter?”

Daniel nodded.

“We need statements from both of you regarding what happened in the room.”

Evelyn immediately reached into her purse.

“My attorney will be present.”

Daniel stared at her.

“Your attorney?”

“I know how these situations get twisted.”

That answer bothered him more than he could explain.

Most mothers would have been horrified by what they had done.

Evelyn was already preparing a defense.

Daniel sat in a consultation room while security took his statement.

He described every movement exactly as he remembered it.

When he finished, his phone vibrated.

It was a message from Rachel’s sister, Maya.

DANIEL, DID RACHEL GIVE YOU THE ENVELOPE?

Daniel typed back immediately.

WHAT ENVELOPE?

Three dots appeared.

Then disappeared.

Then appeared again.

Finally Maya replied.

SHE SAID IF ANYTHING HAPPENED TO HER, YOU NEEDED TO SEE WHAT WAS INSIDE.

Daniel’s stomach tightened.

WHERE IS IT?

Maya’s answer came seconds later.

SHE HAD IT WITH HER WHEN SHE LEFT MY APARTMENT YESTERDAY.

Daniel stood abruptly.

Rachel’s purse and coat had been brought to the hospital after the crash.

He found them in a locked property cabinet beside the emergency department.

A nurse opened it after checking his identification.

Rachel’s wallet was there.

Her phone was cracked but intact.

Her coat was folded beneath a clear plastic bag.

There was no envelope.

Daniel searched the purse twice.

Nothing.

He turned on Rachel’s phone.

The screen flickered.

A draft text message appeared before the battery died.

It had never been sent.

DANIEL, YOUR FATHER DID NOT DIE THE WAY YOUR MOTHER TOLD YOU.

Daniel stared at the black screen.

Behind him, a soft voice said his name.

He turned.

Evelyn stood at the end of the corridor.

Daniel remembered the way Evelyn had appeared beside the property cabinet without being called.

She had not asked whether Rachel was alive.

She had not asked whether Daniel was all right.

She had only looked at the phone.

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That single detail lodged in his mind like a splinter he could no longer ignore.

She was watching the phone in his hand.