Chapter 6 - Everybody Knows Your Schedule
I saved the voicemail, sent it to Maya, and called Lily's winter day camp. The director, Mrs. Park, listened without interrupting.
"Rachel Bennett is not authorized to pick her up," I said. "Neither are my parents. Please put that in writing."
"Claire, we already have a strict release policy," she assured me. "I'll flag the account and speak to our staff."
I thanked her and checked the deadbolt twice.
Lily was sitting cross-legged on the rug, repairing the bracelet with string from her craft box.
"What are you doing, bug?"
"Making it fit me. Grandma said it wasn't her style, but maybe it's mine."
I sat beside her. The beads were cheap and uneven. The knot was a mess. It was the loveliest thing I'd seen all week.
"Can I help?"
She shook her head. "I can do it."
I realized she wasn't talking only about the bracelet.
Over the next few days, Maya assembled a thick file: the true deed, the fake deed, bank statements, my original email containing the signature scan, and the message from Grace Bell confirming her missing seal. The title company had put a hold on the transaction. The lender flagged the account. None of that erased what was recorded, but it stopped anyone from pretending the problem was harmless.
Rachel sent forty-seven messages in one evening.
You always ruin everything.
Mom could have a heart attack because of you.
Derek will sue all of us.
Lily deserves a real family.
I replied once: Any property-related communication goes through my attorney. Do not contact my child.
She sent back a laughing emoji.
On the first morning camp reopened after the holiday, I dropped Lily off, watched her run to the art room, and drove to work. At 10:12, my phone rang.
"Ms. Morgan?" Mrs. Park sounded careful. "Lily is safe, but there's someone at the front desk claiming you asked her to take Lily home."
My heart slammed once, hard.
May you like
"Who?"
"A woman named Rachel Bennett. She has a printed authorization with your signature."
