Chapter 9: The Sister I Never Knew I Had
I couldn't stop staring at the photograph.
My mother and another woman stood together, each holding a baby.
The woman beside her had the same dark eyes, the same smile, and the same small dimple on her left cheek.
It was the face I had inherited.
"Who was she?"" I asked.
My father sat beside me.
"Her name was Elizabeth Bennett. Your mother's older sister.""
I looked up sharply.
"Mom had a sister?""
He nodded.
"They were very close when they were young. But after Elizabeth married Michael, they moved away. They remained in contact, though.""
"Why didn't I ever hear about her?""
"Because Elizabeth died when you were very little.""
I looked at the photograph again.
"And Sarah?""
"Sarah is your cousin.""
The words felt strange.
I had spent years believing I had no family.
Now I was learning that somewhere in Tennessee, there might be a girl who shared my childhood memories, my family history, and even my mother's stories.
"Is she alive?""
Tom nodded.
"That's what the hospital wristband suggests.""
I stood.
"Then I want to find her.""
My father reached for my hand.
"We will.""
Jace's phone rang.
He answered.
"Rebecca?""
He put the call on speaker.
A woman's voice came through.
"This is Rebecca Collins. I understand you've recovered Walter Miller's evidence.""
Tom stepped closer.
"We have the original notebook and a recording.""
"Does the recording contain Michael Bennett's voice?""
"Yes.""
There was a pause.
Then Rebecca asked, "Does it contain Linda Parker's?""
Tom looked at me.
"Yes.""
Rebecca exhaled.
"Then I think it's time we talked.""
My father leaned toward the phone.
"Can you tell us what happened to Margaret?""
The woman was silent for several seconds.
Finally, she spoke.
"Mr. Parker, I was the investigator your wife was supposed to meet on the night she died.""
My father closed his eyes.
I grabbed his hand.
Rebecca continued.
"Margaret had contacted me with evidence of financial fraud involving a nonprofit organization. She was frightened. She believed someone close to her was giving information to Richard Hayes.""
"Was it Linda?"" I asked.
Another pause.
"Your mother never directly accused her. But she told me she no longer trusted her sister.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"Did you investigate the accident?""
"Yes. I requested the original vehicle inspection records. The first report indicated possible brake-line interference. A revised report later classified the damage as consistent with collision impact.""
My father gripped the table.
"Who changed it?""
"We couldn't establish that at the time. Several records went missing.""
"Can you reopen the investigation?""
Rebecca answered carefully.
"Not on suspicion alone. But if the documents you've found are authentic, they could give us a reason to request a formal review.""
Tom promised to bring everything to her.
Before ending the call, Rebecca said one more thing.
"There's something you should know about Michael Bennett.""
I leaned toward the phone.
"What?""
"Michael contacted me three weeks ago. He claimed he had evidence that Richard Hayes was still using the foundation to move money.""
"Where is he?""
"I don't know. He refused to give me his location.""
I remembered the message.
Tomorrow. Alone.
"He's trying to meet me.""
Rebecca's voice sharpened.
"Absolutely not. If Michael has been in hiding for years, he may be under pressure. Don't meet anyone without proper safeguards.""
My father nodded.
"We understand.""
After the call, Tom gathered the documents.
"We need to get these somewhere secure.""
Jace offered to drive them to Rebecca.
My father insisted on going with him.
I wanted to come too, but Tom asked me to stay with another trusted club member until they returned.
For the first time, I understood that protecting me didn't mean keeping me ignorant.
It meant making sure I could survive the truth.
While the others prepared to leave, I sat on the porch with my father.
The evening air smelled of damp grass.
He handed me a glass of lemonade.
"Your mother loved evenings like this.""
I smiled faintly.
"She used to make me sit outside until the fireflies came out.""
He laughed softly.
"She'd tell you stories about the stars.""
I looked at him.
"Did she ever tell you she was afraid?""
He stared at the yard.
"Every day near the end.""
"Of Richard?""
"Of losing you.""
I rested my head against his shoulder.
For a few minutes, neither of us spoke.
Then my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
"Hello?""
A familiar male voice spoke.
"Emily, it's Michael.""
I sat upright.
"Where are you?""
"I can't tell you over the phone.""
"Are you Sarah's father?""
He became quiet.
"Yes.""
"Is she alive?""
His voice broke.
"She is.""
Tears filled my eyes.
"Where is she?""
"Safe. That's all I can tell you right now.""
I gripped the phone.
"Why did my mother die?""
Michael exhaled.
"Because she found out what Richard planned to do with the children connected to the foundation. He was using their identities to create fraudulent accounts. Your mother's name was on the list. So was Sarah's.""
"What does that mean?""
"He wanted control of the money and the children whose identities were being used. Your mother refused to cooperate.""
I felt sick.
"Why didn't you tell anyone?""
"I tried. They threatened my family. Elizabeth was already dead, and I believed Sarah would be next.""
"Did Linda know?""
A long silence followed.
Then Michael answered.
"Linda knew everything.""
I closed my eyes.
"Where can I meet you?""
"Tomorrow morning. There's a diner off Highway 70. Come with Tom Reed. No one else.""
"Why Tom?""
"Because he knows what happened after your mother's car was found.""
I froze.
"What do you mean?""
Michael's voice dropped.
"Emily, your mother wasn't alone in that car.""
I looked toward the house.
My father was standing in the doorway, watching me.
"Who was with her?""
Michael hesitated.
Then he said:
"Someone Richard has spent eleven years pretending never existed.""
The call ended.
I lowered my phone.
My father approached.
"What did Michael say?""
I looked at him.
"He said Mom wasn't alone when she died.""
My father's face went pale.
"Who else was in the car?""
I shook my head.
"He wouldn't tell me.""
Then I noticed something.
My father wasn't confused.
He wasn't surprised.
He was terrified.
"What's wrong?"" I whispered.
He looked toward the dark road.
Finally, he said:
"Emily, there's something I should have told you years ago.""
May you like
He swallowed hard.
"The night your mother died, I was supposed to be driving that car.""
Related Stories
