Chapter 10: The Friend in the Funeral Photo
I looked across the airport terminal again.
The man standing beside Richard Vale wasn’t a stranger.
That was the worst part.
I knew him.
Not personally.
But enough.
His face had been printed in black and white on the funeral program we handed to everyone who came to say goodbye to Michael.
Thomas Reed.
Michael’s longtime friend.
His former colleague.
The man who stood at the funeral and told everyone, “Michael was the kind of person who would run into danger if it meant saving someone else.””
The man who hugged me afterward.
The man who told Emily, “Your dad was a hero.””
My stomach turned.
“No.””
Claire watched my reaction.
“You know him.””
I nodded slowly.
“He spoke at Michael’s funeral.””
Emily looked between us.
“Uncle Thomas?””
I closed my eyes.
Because that was what she called him.
Not uncle by blood.
But because Michael trusted him.
Because he was one of the few people who visited after the funeral.
The man who brought us dinner.
The man who sat with Emily when she cried.
I felt sick.
“Are you sure?”” I asked Claire.
Her expression softened.
“I wish I wasn’t.””
Behind us, security officers were still dealing with the situation involving Richard Vale.
But Thomas was not being questioned.
He was walking freely.
Like he belonged there.
Like he had nothing to hide.
Claire lowered her voice.
“Michael discovered Thomas had access to the investigation files.””
I stared.
“Why would Thomas do that?””
“Because he wasn’t just Michael’s friend.””
She paused.
“He was involved.””
Emily heard the last word.
“Involved in what?””
I immediately turned.
“Sweetheart, go stand with that security officer for a minute.””
Her face changed.
“No.””
The answer was quiet.
But firm.
“I’m tired of everyone protecting me by lying.””
The words hit harder than anything else.
She was right.
Everyone had been making decisions for her.
Her father.
Captain Harris.
Me.
All trying to protect her.
But she had lost her father.
She deserved the truth.
I knelt beside her.
“You’re right.””
She looked surprised.
“I’m sorry we kept things from you.””
Emily looked at the wings on her backpack.
“Daddy never did.””
That broke me.
Claire crouched beside her.
“Your dad loved you more than anything.””
Emily looked at her.
“Did he know you?””
Claire smiled sadly.
“Yes.””
“Why didn’t he tell me?””
“Because he thought if people knew about me, they would come after you.””
Emily frowned.
“But they came anyway.””
Nobody had an answer.
Then my phone buzzed.
A message.
From Captain Harris.
*Do not trust Thomas. He knows you found the evidence.*
I showed Claire.
She nodded.
“He’s right.””
A second message appeared.
*Get Emily out of the airport. Now.*
My heart started racing.
“Why?””
Before Claire could answer, the airport lights flickered.
Once.
Twice.
Then went dark for three seconds.
When they returned, Thomas was gone.
And Richard Vale was walking toward us.
“Mrs. Brooks.””
I grabbed Emily’s hand.
Claire stepped forward.
“Stay away from them.””
Vale stopped.
He looked at Claire.
“You were supposed to disappear years ago.””
Claire’s face went pale.
“You tried.””
Vale smiled.
“But I failed.””
Security moved toward us.
Vale didn’t seem worried.
That scared me.
He looked at Emily.
“I’m sorry you had to learn about your father this way.””
I stepped in front of her.
“Don’t talk to her.””
Vale ignored me.
“Your father wasn’t perfect, Emily.””
Emily stared.
“What do you mean?””
Vale reached into his pocket.
He pulled out a small envelope.
“My father gave this to me before he died.””
Claire whispered:
“No.””
Vale looked at her.
“Michael wanted the truth exposed.””
He looked at Emily.
“But he never told you the whole truth.””
My hands tightened.
“What’s in that envelope?””
Vale smiled.
“A letter from your father.””
The world stopped.
“Impossible.””
“No.””
Vale held it up.
“Your husband wrote many letters.””
He looked at Emily.
“One of them was never meant for you.””
Then he dropped the envelope onto the floor.
And walked away.
I picked it up.
May you like
On the front were four words.
*For Emily. When ready.*
