Chapter 6 - The Black Ink
Maya stared at the black X.
“That wasn’t there.”
Evan looked at her. “You’re sure?”
“I helped Lily start this card last week. She drew the three of us before you left.”
Dr. Patel leaned closer but did not touch it.
“The ink looks fresh.”
Evan’s expression hardened for the first time since entering the house.
“Someone had access to Lily’s backpack.”
“And your hotel room,” Maya said.
The anger in his eyes rose.
She stepped toward him.
“Be careful.”
“What?”
“You don’t get to become the hero because somebody else did something wrong.”
His anger vanished.
Maya’s voice broke. “You were her father before any of this. You failed her without help.”
Evan looked down.
“I know.”
This time the words sounded different.
Not defensive.
Destroyed.
Dr. Patel left after promising to contact hospital security.
Maya blew out three candles that had burned too low.
Evan watched her.
“Where did you sleep while she was in the ICU?”
“In a chair.”
“Did anyone stay with you?”
“My sister came the first night.”
“Your mother?”
“She couldn’t get a flight until the morning Lily died.”
Evan’s voice trembled. “Why didn’t you call my brother?”
“I did.”
He looked up.
Maya gave a bitter laugh.
“Your brother answered.”
That landed hard.
“He was in Chicago.”
“He got on the first flight.”
Evan looked at the memorial table again.
His younger brother, Noah, had always been the irresponsible one.
The one Evan lectured.
The one who forgot birthdays.
The one who borrowed money.
And Noah had made it to the ICU.
Evan had not.
His phone rang.
Dr. Patel.
He answered immediately.
“Hello?”
The doctor’s voice was tight.
“Hospital security found the video from the night Lily’s belongings were packed.”
Evan put the call on speaker.
Maya moved closer.
“There was an unauthorized person in the family waiting area at 3:17 a.m.”
“Who?”
“We can’t identify her yet. Baseball cap. Gray coat. She took Lily’s backpack for approximately four minutes, then returned it.”
Maya’s face went cold.
“A woman?”
“Yes.”
Evan looked toward the open doorway where Ava had disappeared.
“Was she blonde?”
A pause.
“Yes.”
Maya turned to him.
Then his phone buzzed with a text from Ava.
Three words.
I KNOW WHO.
May you like
A second message came immediately.
And she’s here.
