Chapter 17 - The River House
The river house had once been Daniel's grandfather's fishing retreat. Now the windows were boarded and the dock hung crooked above dark winter water. An undercover team waited in unmarked vehicles beyond the tree line. Torres fitted Daniel with a concealed microphone and explained the plan three times.
Emma watched him fasten his coat. “You don't get to rescue our marriage tonight,” she said. “You get to tell the truth.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
Daniel looked at Lily's crayon drawing in Emma's hand: three stick figures under a Christmas tree, a huge yellow sun above them. “I know I let Mother make every hard choice for me. I thought I was keeping peace. I was teaching Lily that people who scare you are allowed to make the rules.”
Emma didn't forgive him. But she believed he finally understood the damage.
Daniel walked to the porch carrying an envelope that held copied documents. Victoria emerged from the house, emerald dress hidden beneath a heavy black coat. Her makeup was perfect, even after a night on the run.
“You always come when I call,” she said.
Emma had spent years translating Daniel's quietness into kindness for Lily: Daddy is tired, Daddy doesn't mean it, Daddy will speak to Grandma tomorrow. She wouldn't do that again. If he wanted to be Lily's father in any meaningful sense, he would have to stand on his own feet in front of Victoria.
“Where's Claire?”
“Sign first.”
Daniel held up the envelope. “You tried to burn my wife and daughter alive.”
Victoria's expression tightened. “I did what was necessary to preserve this family.”
“Family?” Daniel's voice rose. “Lily is six.”
“Children forget frightening nights. Adults with money survive them.”
Through the microphone, Emma heard every word in Torres's command vehicle. She gripped the seat until her knuckles whitened.
Daniel said, “I won't sign. And you don't control me anymore.”
A side door opened. Merrick dragged Claire onto the porch, one arm clamped around her shoulders. In his other hand was a gun.
May you like
Victoria smiled without warmth. “Then you'll watch what happens when you say no.”
CHRISTMAS EVE BETRAYAL • THE MISSING DAUGHTE
