Chapter 12: The Face In The Rain
The memory came back in pieces.
Not like a movie.
Like shattered glass.
A sound.
A smell.
A face.
Rain hitting the pavement.
My own hands shaking.
I closed my eyes.
James was still on the phone.
“Daniel?””
I didn't answer.
Because I was somewhere else.
Back in that night.
Back in the rain.
I remembered leaving the hotel.
I remembered driving home.
I remembered seeing the lights.
My wife's car.
The road.
The crash.
But there was something else.
Someone standing there.
I whispered:
“Someone was there.””
Everyone looked at me.
Michael stepped closer.
“What?””
I opened my eyes.
“I saw someone.””
Vanessa's face changed.
“Who?””
I looked at the phone.
“James.””
A long silence.
Then James laughed.
Not nervous.
Not scared.
Amused.
“You finally remember.””
My hands tightened.
“You were there.””
“Yes.””
The answer shocked me.
Michael stepped forward.
“James!””
But James continued.
“I was there because I was trying to fix the problem your wife created.””
My stomach turned.
“You mean exposing your theft?””
“She was going to ruin everything.””
“You killed her.””
A pause.
Then:
“I didn't plan for her to die.””
My blood ran cold.
The words were almost casual.
“You pushed her.””
“No.””
James sighed.
“She made choices.””
I looked at Sophie.
She was listening.
I immediately covered her ears.
She didn't need more pain.
“James, listen carefully.””
My voice became calm.
“You are going to tell me everything.””
He laughed.
“You think you have power now?””
“Yes.””
I looked at Vanessa.
At Michael.
At my daughter.
“For the first time in years, I do.””
James went quiet.
Then he said:
“You still don't understand.””
“What?””
“Your wife wasn't the only person who knew.””
I frowned.
“What are you talking about?””
“Someone else saw everything.””
My heart pounded.
“Who?””
James didn't answer.
The call ended.
I looked at everyone.
“What does that mean?””
Michael looked worried.
“I don't know.””
Vanessa suddenly stood.
“I do.””
I turned.
She looked terrified.
“There was someone else.””
“Who?””
She swallowed.
“Sophie.””
My entire body froze.
“What?””
Vanessa shook her head.
“She saw the crash.””
I looked at my daughter.
“No.””
Sophie stared at the floor.
Tears formed in her eyes.
“Sweetheart?””
Her voice was barely a whisper.
“I didn't want to remember.””
My heart broke.
I knelt beside her.
“Remember what?””
She looked at me.
“I saw Uncle Michael.””
Michael froze.
“What?””
Sophie continued crying.
“And I saw James.””
Nobody moved.
“But there was another person.””
My voice shook.
“Who?””
Sophie looked toward Vanessa.
Then whispered:
“The person Mommy was scared of.””
The room went silent.
“Who was it, Sophie?””
She squeezed her eyes shut.
Then said:
“It was someone from Daddy’s family.””
My blood ran cold.
Because I thought I knew everyone involved.
But I was wrong.
The person who had been hiding behind the accident…
was someone much closer.
May you like
And when Sophie finally said the name…
I felt the entire world collapse.
