Chapter 2: The Envelope
I grabbed Lily's wheelchair and pulled her behind me.
“Stay here.””
Rebecca immediately said, “Daniel, don't.””
I ignored her.
I reached beneath the table and caught the man's ankle.
He kicked hard.
I stumbled backward as a tall figure crawled out from underneath the table and ran toward the hallway.
“Hey!””
I chased him.
He reached the back door before I could catch him.
I grabbed the back of his jacket.
The fabric tore.
He slipped free and disappeared into the darkness behind the house.
I stood there breathing hard.
Sarah came up behind me.
“Daniel.””
I turned.
She was staring at the torn piece of black fabric in my hand.
“I know that jacket.””
“Who is he?””
Her expression went white.
“My brother.””
I stared at her.
“Your brother?””
“Ethan.””
I remembered Ethan.
Sarah's younger half-brother.
He had been around during the first year of our marriage, then disappeared after stealing money from Sarah's business.
“What would Ethan be doing here?””
Sarah looked toward Rebecca.
“I don't know.””
Rebecca folded her arms.
“You're both making this ridiculous.””
I turned on her.
“Then explain the man hiding under our table.””
“I can't explain something I didn't do.””
Margaret stepped forward.
“Mr. Carter, the envelope.””
I looked at her.
She nodded toward my pocket.
“The one Rebecca didn't want you to see.””
I pulled it out.
It was thick.
Inside were several photocopied documents, a hospital photograph, and a handwritten note.
The photograph showed Sarah in a hospital bed.
Her hair was shaved on one side.
There were bruises along her temple.
But there was no mistaking her.
On the back of the photograph was a date.
Four months after the accident.
I stared at it.
“She was alive.””
Sarah's voice was barely audible.
“Yes.””
I looked at Rebecca.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
She shook her head.
“I never saw that.””
“Then why was it in your desk?””
“I don't know.””
Sarah picked up one of the papers.
Her eyes moved across the page.
“This is from the rehabilitation center.””
“What does it say?””
She handed it to me.
The patient had been admitted under the name Mary Collins.
No identification.
Severe memory loss.
Unknown family.
But someone had written a note in the margin.
*Possible identification: Sarah Carter.*
My hands began to shake.
“She remembered me.””
Sarah nodded.
“Eventually.””
“Then why didn't you call?””
“I tried.””
Her voice cracked.
“I didn't know if you would believe me.””
I stared at her.
“Why wouldn't I?””
She looked at Lily.
“Because someone convinced me you had moved on.””
My eyes shifted toward Rebecca.
Rebecca's jaw tightened.
“Sarah, I didn't know you were alive.””
Sarah gave a bitter smile.
“You visited the rehabilitation center.””
Silence.
Rebecca's face drained.
I looked at her.
“You visited?””
“I visited someone.””
“Who?””
“I don't remember.””
Sarah stepped closer.
“You remember.””
Rebecca suddenly grabbed the envelope from my hand.
“Give me that.””
I pulled it away.
She reached again.
“Daniel, you don't understand what you're getting involved in.””
“What am I getting involved in?””
Rebecca's eyes filled with something that wasn't fear.
It was anger.
“You think Sarah came back because she loves you?””
Sarah stiffened.
Rebecca continued.
“She came back because she wants something.””
“What?””
Rebecca looked at Lily.
Then she whispered,
“She knows where the money is.””
I felt my stomach drop.
“What money?””
Rebecca didn't answer.
Margaret did.
“The insurance money.””
I turned toward her.
“What insurance money?””
Margaret looked at Sarah.
“Sarah's life insurance policy.””
Sarah's expression changed.
“I never had a life insurance policy that large.””
I looked at Rebecca.
She slowly backed away.
Then Lily screamed.
“Daddy!””
I turned.
The envelope had fallen open on the floor.
One final document had slid beneath the cabinet.
I picked it up.
May you like
It was a life insurance claim.
And the beneficiary signature at the bottom belonged to Rebecca.
