Chapter 9: The Accident Timeline

We met Evan at the police substation.

Dad refused to let Melissa come.

“I'm not leaving my daughter alone in this house with you tonight.””

That ended the argument.

Tyler came with us.

Evan waited beside an old pickup, wearing work boots and an Ohio State sweatshirt. The moment he saw me, he handed over my laptop.

“I'm sorry.””

I held it against my chest.

Dad said, “She didn't sell this.””

“I understand. I want my six hundred back eventually, but not tonight.””

Tyler stared at the pavement.

“I spent it.””

“I figured.””

Tyler looked at me.

“I'm sorry.””

“I know.””

It wasn't forgiveness.

Not yet.

Evan opened his own computer.

“I copied the folder because once I realized the laptop might be stolen, I didn't want anything disappearing.””

Inside were scans of Dad's driver's license, Social Security card, tax documents, insurance paperwork, deed, and signature samples.

Dad whispered, “These came from my office.””

Tyler shook his head.

“I never went in there.””

Another folder was labeled:

*DANIEL*

Inside were photographs.

Dad leaving for work.

Dad mowing the lawn.

Dad beside his truck.

Some pictures had been taken from inside our house. Others from a distance.

Then Evan opened:

*ACCIDENT TIMELINE*

Dates.

Dad's work schedule.

His normal commute.

His Tuesday gym visits.

His usual highway exit.

Beside one date:

*Rain forecast. Best.*

Dad's face drained.

“What date?””

Evan zoomed in.

October 14.

Two weeks away.

Below it were more notes.

*Policy active.*

*Beneficiary processed.*

*Vehicle maintenance overdue.*

Then:

*M.C. confirms window.*

Dad stepped away.

“No.””

Tyler whispered, “What does that mean?””

Dad called the officer we'd spoken to earlier.

“This is Daniel. I need an officer here now. I think someone may be planning to hurt me.””

Evan checked the document properties.

“Last modified three days ago.””

“Author?”” Dad asked.

Evan frowned.

Then turned the screen.

*Author: MCarter_Admin*

“Marcus,” Tyler whispered.

Dad's phone rang.

Melissa.

He rejected it twice before finally answering.

“What?””

“Where are you?””

“Safe.””

“You need to come home.””

“No.””

“Daniel, please.””

“Why is there a document called Accident Timeline on my daughter's laptop?””

Silence.

“You know about it,” Dad said.

“I didn't create it.””

“When did you see it?””

“Marcus sent it three days ago.””

“And you didn't call the police?””

“He said he'd expose everything.””

Dad laughed bitterly.

“Everything is already exposed.””

“No.””

Her answer silenced us.

Dad lowered his voice.

“What else is there?””

“I need you to come home.””

“Tell me.””

“I can't over the phone.””

“Then come here.””

“I can't.””

A car door closed on her end.

Then a man's voice.

Melissa gasped.

Dad straightened.

“Melissa?””

Nothing.

“Melissa!””

Tyler grabbed his arm.

“Mom?””

Then Marcus Carter spoke into the phone.

“You found the timeline.””

“Where is my wife?””

“You should've stayed out of this, Daniel.””

Officers were already emerging from the substation.

Dad put the call on speaker.

“Did you threaten my family?””

Marcus laughed softly.

“Your family?””

A pause.

“You still don't understand who Tyler's father is, do you?””

Tyler went completely still.

Dad stared at him.

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Marcus spoke once more before disconnecting.

“Ask Melissa why Tyler has my last name on his original birth certificate.””