Chapter 8: The Woman Who Knew Where Emily Was Hiding
Ryan didn't have to say her name.
The second I saw Emily's expression, I knew.
“Grandma?”” Lily whispered.
Emily closed her eyes.
Our mother had been dead for eight months, but the word still landed between us like a physical blow.
“No,” I said immediately.
“Mom wouldn't have helped Ryan find you.””
Emily looked at me with such sadness that my certainty began to crumble.
“James, she didn't know everything.””
“Then tell me what she knew.””
Emily took a shaky breath.
“When I escaped from the shelter in New Mexico, I called Mom from a motel. I told her where I was staying because I thought I could trust her.””
I remembered that period. Our mother had seemed distracted during our phone calls. She would ask strange questions about whether I'd heard from Ryan, then abruptly change the subject.
I'd assumed she was struggling with grief.
“I told her I was working,” Emily continued.
“I said I wanted to come home, but I was afraid Ryan would take Lily away. Mom promised she would help me.””
My throat tightened.
“What happened?””
“Three days later, a man appeared outside the motel. He knew my name. He told me Ryan had hired him to bring me home.””
Lily began twisting the fabric of Emily's sleeve.
“Mommy, did Grandma know you were alive?””
Emily looked down at her daughter.
“Yes, sweetheart. She knew.””
“Then why didn't she bring you back?””
Emily couldn't answer immediately.
I sat beside them.
“Maybe she thought she was protecting you.””
Emily nodded slowly.
“That's what she told me later.””
Ryan gave a quiet, satisfied laugh.
“Exactly. Your mother understood that Emily was unstable. She knew bringing her home would destroy Lily's life.””
I turned toward him.
“Shut your mouth.””
He raised his hands.
“I'm simply explaining what happened.””
“No. You're trying to make our mother responsible for your choices.””
Ryan's smile disappeared.
“Your mother accepted the money.””
Emily stood.
“What money?””
The room went silent.
Ryan glanced at Richard, who had gone unusually pale.
I looked at the bank statement again.
The $125,000 transfer to Northstar Family Services had been made the day before our mother's death. The smaller payment to Richard had occurred three days earlier.
But neither transaction explained the payment Ryan had mentioned.
“Emily,” I said carefully, “did Mom ever tell you she received money from Ryan?””
She shook her head.
“No. She said she had been helping him with Lily's expenses because he was struggling after my disappearance.””
Richard cleared his throat.
“Your mother was under considerable emotional strain. It's possible she misunderstood the nature of certain financial arrangements.””
Emily stared at him.
“You're still protecting him.””
Richard's face hardened.
“I am trying to prevent this situation from becoming more damaging than it already is.””
“Damaging to whom?”” I demanded.
“The little girl whose father hit her? The woman who was threatened into disappearing? Or the people who made money from it?””
He looked away.
Officer Bennett approached Ryan.
“We need you to accompany us to another room so we can continue taking your statement.””
Ryan's expression changed instantly.
“Am I under arrest?””
“You're being asked to provide further information about the incident and the documents presented tonight.””
“Then I want my attorney present.””
Richard stepped forward.
“I'll accompany him.””
Officer Bennett shook her head.
“Mr. Cole, we'll speak with you separately.””
Ryan glanced toward the ballroom entrance, calculating.
I recognized that look. I'd seen it when he negotiated construction contracts, when he argued with our mother, and when he tried to frighten me into abandoning my search for Emily.
He was looking for an exit.
Then his gaze landed on Lily.
“Sweetheart,” he said, suddenly softening his voice, “come here for a moment.””
Emily immediately pulled her daughter closer.
“No.””
“She's my child.””
“And she has had enough for one night.””
Ryan crouched slightly, trying to catch Lily's eye.
“Lily, tell them you want to come home with Daddy.””
Lily pressed her face into Emily's waist.
“I want Mommy.””
Ryan's expression darkened.
“Your mother is confused. She doesn't understand how dangerous this is.””
Emily stepped between them.
“Don't talk to her.””
“You have no idea what I've sacrificed for this family.””
“You sacrificed us to protect yourself.””
He stood abruptly.
“That's a lie!””
Lily flinched.
The movement was small, but everyone saw it.
Even Ryan.
For one fleeting moment, something resembling shame crossed his face. Then he looked at the watching guests and replaced it with anger.
Officer Bennett moved closer.
“Mr. Mitchell, step away from the child.””
Ryan complied, but his eyes never left Emily.
“You think you've won,” he muttered.
Emily didn't answer.
“You think walking into my wedding with a few pieces of paper means you can take Lily away from me.””
“No,” she said.
“I think Lily deserves a life where she doesn't have to be afraid of you.””
Ryan laughed bitterly.
“You still don't understand.””
“Then explain it.””
He leaned closer, lowering his voice.
“Ask your brother what happened to the original accident report.””
I frowned.
“What does that have to do with me?””
Ryan turned toward me.
“Everything.””
He looked back at Emily.
“Because the accident report wasn't the only document that disappeared three years ago.””
Richard suddenly grabbed his briefcase.
Officer Bennett blocked his path.
“Sir, leave the bag where it is.””
Richard froze.
Ryan smiled.
“The original custody agreement is missing, too. And without it, you have no idea what your mother signed.””
Emily's face drained of color.
“What did she sign?””
Ryan didn't answer.
Instead, he looked at me.
“James, you should ask your mother why she changed her will the week before Emily disappeared.””
I stared at him.
Our mother had changed her will?
Nobody had told me.
Not Richard. Not Ryan. Not even the executor of her estate.
Officer Bennett noticed my expression.
“Mr. Mitchell, what exactly are you alleging?””
Ryan leaned back in his chair.
“That the person who helped Emily disappear wasn't just protecting me.””
May you like
His eyes settled on me.
“She was protecting James, too.””
