Chapter 4 - The Broken Medal Box
The medal box sat on a shelf in Daniel's study.
The corner was cracked where it had hit the floor. Inside were challenge coins, ribbons, a folded flag from his grandfather's funeral, and a photograph of Daniel in uniform with Noah as a baby in his arms.
When Daniel had come home and found it damaged, Claire had told him Noah climbed onto the desk after being warned not to.
Daniel had been disappointed.
He had made Noah apologize.
He had made his son stand in front of that shelf and promise to "respect important things."
Now he wanted to be sick.
At Rachel's house, Noah sat on the couch with a blanket around his shoulders. Lily slept beside him with her head in his lap.
Daniel sat on the floor in front of them.
"Buddy, I need to ask you something."
Noah watched him carefully.
"Did you break my medal box?"
His eyes immediately filled.
"No."
Daniel closed his eyes for half a second.
"Did Claire tell you to say you did?"
Noah nodded.
"She knocked it down when she was mad. She said if I told you, you'd have to go away again because she would call your Navy boss."
Rachel turned her face toward the window.
Daniel knew she was trying not to cry.
"Noah, look at me."
His son did.
"You never have to protect me from the truth. Ever."
"Are you mad?"
"At you? No."
"But I lied."
Daniel took his son's hand.
"You were scared. That is different."
Noah's lower lip trembled.
"She said grown-ups believe wives."
Daniel felt something inside him break cleanly in two.
He stayed at Rachel's house that night. He slept on the floor between the children's beds because neither one wanted the door closed.
At 2:14 a.m., his phone buzzed.
It was a message from an unknown number.
YOU DON'T KNOW YOUR WIFE AS WELL AS YOU THINK.
A second message arrived.
CHECK THE GARAGE CABINET. TOP SHELF. RED FOLDER.
Daniel sat up.
May you like
A third message appeared.
AND DON'T LET CLAIRE KNOW I TOLD YOU.
