Chapter 11 - Monday at Storage 214
Monday morning smelled of wet asphalt. Nora accompanied Nathan to the storage facility listed on Rosa's receipt. A woman named Lena stood behind the counter, tapping a pen against a paper cup.
"Rosa told me to expect you," she said. "But she hasn't checked in."
"Have you seen her?"
"Saturday night. She was frightened. She asked me not to let anyone take the unit without proper paperwork."
Lena verified Nathan's identity and explained that Rosa had named him as an authorized recipient in a sealed instruction packet. Together, they followed the facility's release procedure. Unit 214 opened with a metallic snap.
Inside were three cardboard boxes, a framed photograph of Hannah and Lucy, and a familiar blue metal case with a little brass lock.
Nathan's breath caught. "That's hers."
He called Lucy on video. "Sweetheart, I found it."
Lucy held the small brass key up to the camera. "Don't let Grandma touch it."
Nathan brought the box to Nora's office. In front of a witness, they recorded the opening. The key turned stiffly, then gave.
Inside lay letters, a flash drive, and an envelope bearing Nathan's name in Hannah's unmistakable handwriting. Tiny stars decorated the lower corner.
He broke the seal with trembling fingers.
Nathan,
If you're reading this, something went wrong with the plans I made to keep Lucy safe. Please believe her even when she doesn't have the words to explain. Your mother has been pressuring me to put Harbor House's money under her control. I've refused. Gerald says I am being unreasonable. I no longer trust either of them to handle my papers alone.
Nathan stopped. The next lines blurred.
I have made a recording. Nora knows where to look for independent verification. And there is something about the night of my accident that I need you to understand.
May you like
He looked up at Nora. "Accident? Hannah went into the hospital because of her illness."
Nora went pale. "She had a fall two weeks before that. She told me it wasn't an accident."
