Chapter 10: The Man Who Knew Emily
The police increased security around my house that night.
But security didn't make me feel safe.
Because whoever was behind this had been watching my family for years.
They knew about Emily.
They knew about Sophie.
They knew exactly how to frighten me.
And the worst part was that I still didn't know why.
The next morning, Detective Harper sat across from me in the living room.
"We found Thomas Reed.""
I looked up.
"Where?""
"He turned himself in.""
That wasn't what I expected.
"Why?""
She placed a file on the table.
"Because he said he wants to talk to you.""
My expression hardened.
"No.""
Detective Harper studied me.
"Daniel.""
"No.""
I pointed toward the file.
"This man watched my family. He was connected to my wife's investigation. Someone threatened me from his phone.""
She nodded.
"I understand.""
"Then why would I sit in a room with him?""
"Because he may be the only person who can explain what Emily discovered.""
That stopped me.
Because as much as I hated it, she was right.
Two hours later, I sat across from Thomas Reed in an interview room.
He looked older than his picture.
Tired.
Not dangerous.
But I had learned something.
Danger didn't always look the way you expected.
He looked at me for a long moment.
Then he said:
"Emily would be proud of you.""
My jaw tightened.
"Don't talk about my wife.""
His eyes dropped.
"I deserve that.""
"You knew she was investigating Bright Steps.""
"Yes.""
"You knew someone was hiding things.""
"Yes.""
"And you did nothing.""
Pain crossed his face.
"I tried.""
I leaned forward.
"Try harder.""
Thomas took a deep breath.
"Emily found evidence that a group of people were manipulating records at private childcare centers.""
"Why?""
"Money.""
I frowned.
"What does that mean?""
"They created false reports about children. They used those records to pressure families, remove staff, and control information.""
I stared at him.
"And Mrs. Parker?""
"She was one of the people involved.""
My hands tightened.
"But why Sophie?""
Thomas looked away.
"Because Emily found something.""
"What?""
He hesitated.
"A list.""
"What list?""
"A list of children whose records had been changed.""
I waited.
"Sophie's name was on it.""
My heart dropped.
"Why?""
Thomas looked at me.
"Because Emily discovered your daughter had been placed on the list by mistake.""
"Placed on the list?""
He nodded.
"Someone wanted access to information about your family.""
I felt anger rising.
"Who?""
Thomas looked directly at me.
"The person who controlled everything.""
The room became silent.
"Who?""
He swallowed.
"Your wife's brother.""
I froze.
"What?""
I stood immediately.
"That's impossible.""
Emily had one brother.
Michael.
My brother-in-law.
The man who attended her funeral.
The man who hugged Sophie afterward.
The man who told me he would always protect my daughter.
Thomas looked down.
"I know what you're thinking.""
"No.""
My voice became cold.
"You don't.""
"Daniel, Emily trusted him. That's why she didn't suspect him at first.""
I shook my head.
"You're lying.""
Thomas didn't argue.
Instead, he reached into his folder and pulled out a photograph.
He pushed it across the table.
It showed Michael standing outside Bright Steps.
The date was three years ago.
One week before Emily died.
I stared at it.
"Where did you get this?""
"Emily took it.""
My heart raced.
"Why?""
Thomas looked at me.
"Because she realized the person helping Mrs. Parker wasn't someone from the daycare.""
He paused.
"It was someone close to her.""
I couldn't speak.
Then Thomas said something that made my blood run cold.
May you like
"Daniel, your brother-in-law didn't just know about Emily's investigation.""
"He was the one who started it.""
