Chapter 4: The Woman in the Hospital Room
I stared at the tablet.
The woman standing beside my daughter's hospital bed was unmistakable.
Rachel.
Danielle's younger sister.
She was thirty-four, unmarried, and had been Lily's favorite aunt since the day she was born. She bought Lily birthday dresses, took her for ice cream, and called her every Sunday evening.
I had trusted her.
Apparently, I had trusted everyone.
“Why is Rachel in that room?”” I asked.
Officer Brooks paused the video.
“That's what we're trying to determine.””
My mother looked away.
“Rachel was just visiting.””
“Then why did you tell me Lily was fine?”” I demanded.
Patricia folded her arms.
“Because you were already dealing with enough.””
“Enough? I was in Savannah with Vanessa!””
The room fell silent.
For once, my mother had no answer.
Officer Brooks resumed the recording.
The footage had no sound, but the images were clear.
At 7:42 a.m., Patricia entered Lily's hospital room carrying a small handbag.
Rachel followed thirty seconds later.
Lily was lying beneath a white blanket. Her face looked painfully small against the hospital pillow.
My mother approached the bed.
Rachel stood near the doorway, checking her phone.
Then Lily lifted one hand.
Even through the grainy footage, I recognized her little gesture.
She was asking for someone to hold her hand.
Patricia leaned closer.
A few seconds later, Lily turned her face toward the doorway.
Rachel stepped forward.
She appeared to say something.
Then she took something from her handbag and placed it on the bedside table.
Officer Brooks paused the video.
“Do you recognize that object?””
I leaned closer.
It was a pink envelope.
My daughter's favorite color.
“What is that?””
“That's what we're trying to establish.””
My mother suddenly spoke.
“It was a birthday card.””
I turned toward her.
“Lily's birthday wasn't for another three months.””
Patricia looked uncomfortable.
“It was just something I brought her.””
“What's inside?””
“I don't know.””
“You brought it!””
She raised her voice.
“Marcus, stop interrogating me!””
Officer Brooks shut the tablet.
“Mrs. Williams, we're not finished.””
He turned to me.
“There's another detail. Rachel Williams called the hospital twice that morning before arriving.””
“Why?””
“She asked whether your daughter was still conscious.””
My stomach twisted.
“Why would she ask that?””
“We don't know.””
I grabbed my phone.
“I want to call her.””
Officer Brooks nodded.
“Put it on speaker.””
Rachel answered almost immediately.
“Marcus? Oh, my God. How are you holding up?””
I closed my eyes.
“Rachel, I need you to answer something.””
“Anything.””
“Why were you at Lily's hospital room Sunday morning?””
Silence.
Then she sighed.
“Danielle told you?””
“I saw the security footage.””
“Oh.””
“Why did you tell me Lily was fine on Saturday?””
Rachel's voice became shaky.
“I didn't want you to panic.””
“Were you with Mom?””
Another pause.
“Yes.””
“What were you doing?””
“We were trying to help Lily.””
“Help her with what?””
Rachel began crying.
“Marcus, I think you need to speak to Danielle.””
“She's your sister. She doesn't know anything about this.””
Rachel's breathing became uneven.
Then she whispered, “That's not true.””
I froze.
“What?””
“Danielle knows more than you think.””
Before I could respond, Rachel hung up.
I stared at my phone.
Officer Brooks exchanged a look with another detective.
My mother stood abruptly.
“I want a lawyer.””
“That's your right,” Officer Brooks replied.
She picked up her handbag.
But as she passed me, she stopped.
“Marcus, don't let Danielle turn this into something it isn't.””
I looked at her.
“What isn't it?””
She leaned closer.
“You think you're the only person who made mistakes? Ask your wife why Lily was so afraid of the hospital.””
Then she walked out.
I remained in the interview room long after the door closed.
Those words followed me home.
That evening, I drove to Danielle's sister's apartment.
Danielle opened the door.
Her eyes were red, and Lily's stuffed rabbit was tucked beneath her arm.
“What are you doing here?””
“Rachel was in Lily's hospital room Sunday morning.””
Danielle's expression changed.
“What?””
“I saw the footage.””
She stepped aside.
I entered the apartment.
Rachel was sitting at the kitchen table.
A half-empty cup of coffee sat in front of her.
When she saw me, she stood.
“Marcus, I can explain.””
“Then explain.””
Danielle looked between us.
“What's going on?””
I turned toward her.
“Your sister was with my mother in Lily's hospital room shortly before our daughter died.””
Danielle's face went pale.
“Rachel?””
Rachel began crying.
“Please, let me explain.””
Danielle took a step backward.
“Why were you there?””
Rachel looked at the floor.
“Mom called me.””
“Why?””
“She said Lily wanted to see me.””
Danielle shook her head.
“She was unconscious by then.””
Rachel covered her mouth.
“I know.””
“Then why did you go?””
Rachel reached into her handbag.
She pulled out a small pink envelope.
The same envelope from the hospital footage.
“I brought this for Lily,” she whispered.
Danielle stared at it.
“What is it?””
Rachel slowly placed it on the table.
“It's something Lily asked me to keep.””
I opened the envelope.
Inside was a folded piece of paper.
My daughter's handwriting covered the page.
Dear Daddy,
I know you don't want me to call anymore.
But I need to tell you something.
Grandma says I have to keep a secret.
I'm scared.
At the bottom, she'd drawn a small heart.
May you like
And underneath the heart were four words.
Mommy doesn't know yet.
