Chapter 4 - THE NOTEBOOK IN THE TRASH

Claire didn’t go home.

She called her older sister, Rachel.

Twenty minutes later, Rachel walked into the emergency department wearing sweatpants, sneakers, and the expression of someone ready to commit a felony for family.

“Where is she?”

“Room twelve.”

Rachel hugged Claire hard.

“What happened?”

Claire told her.

Not all of it.

She couldn’t.

She kept choking on the words.

Rachel’s face grew darker with every sentence.

“He knew?”

“I think so.”

“You think?”

“He texted me that Margaret threw away a notebook before I ever told him the doctor mentioned one.”

Rachel went still.

“Claire.”

“I know.”

“No, listen to me. Do not go back there alone.”

“I need clothes for Lily.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“I need evidence.”

Rachel understood immediately.

They waited until Lily was discharged.

Dr. Reyes gave Claire instructions, follow-up information, and a card.

“If you feel unsafe returning home,” she said, “you don’t have to.”

Claire looked down at Lily.

“We’re not staying there tonight.”

At midnight, Claire and Rachel drove to the house.

Lily stayed with Rachel’s husband.

The home looked normal from outside.

Warm porch lights.

Trimmed hedges.

White curtains.

Claire hated that.

Bad homes were supposed to look bad.

This one looked like a Christmas commercial.

Rachel whispered, “You ready?”

“No.”

“Good enough.”

Claire unlocked the door.

The house was quiet.

Daniel came out of the living room.

“Where’s Lily?”

“Safe.”

His eyes moved to Rachel.

“Why is she here?”

Rachel folded her arms.

“Because unlike you, I care if your daughter eats.”

“Stay out of my marriage.”

“Gladly. I’m here about the child abuse.”

Daniel flinched.

“It is not abuse.”

Claire walked past him.

“Where’s the trash?”

“What?”

“The notebook.”

“Claire—”

She entered the kitchen.

The trash can was empty.

Fresh bag.

Claire turned around.

“Where is it?”

Daniel spread his hands.

“Garbage pickup was tonight.”

Rachel glanced toward the back door.

“Pickup isn’t until Thursday.”

Daniel’s face changed.

Just slightly.

But Claire saw it.

She ran to the garage.

The large garbage bin was empty too.

“Where is she?” Claire asked.

Daniel didn’t answer.

“Where is your mother?”

The upstairs floor creaked.

Claire looked up.

Margaret appeared at the railing in a robe.

“Still behaving like a lunatic, I see.”

Claire took the stairs two at a time.

Margaret backed away.

“Don’t come near me.”

“Where’s the notebook?”

“I threw it away.”

“Where?”

“None of your business.”

Rachel came upstairs behind Claire.

Margaret looked from one sister to the other.

“This is my son’s house.”

Claire laughed.

“No. It’s our house.”

Margaret’s mouth curled.

“You really believe that?”

Claire stopped.

Daniel appeared at the bottom of the staircase.

“Mom, don’t.”

Claire slowly turned.

“What does that mean?”

Margaret smiled.

“Ask your husband whose name is actually on the deed.”

Daniel looked furious.

“Mom.”

But Margaret was enjoying herself now.

Claire stared down at him.

“Daniel?”

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