Chapter 7 - THE NIGHT DANIEL DIED
Evelyn refused pain medication until Alexander returned.
“You need to rest,” he said.
“No.”
“Mom.”
“You came for answers.”
He sat.
“You heard from Richard?”
“Yes.”
“He told me to ask who was driving.”
Evelyn looked away.
Alexander’s stomach sank.
“Mom.”
“I was driving.”
He stared at her.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I knew how it sounded.”
“How did it happen?”
Evelyn took a slow breath.
“We left a hotel outside the city.”
“You, Dad, and me?”
“You were sleeping in the back.”
Alexander felt sick.
“I was in the car?”
“Yes.”
He stood.
“I was six years old.”
“Yes.”
“You told me Dad disappeared.”
“I know.”
“You told me nothing happened.”
“I know.”
“Stop saying you know!”
A nurse glanced through the window.
Alexander lowered his voice.
“Tell me.”
Evelyn shut her eyes.
“Daniel had evidence against Richard.”
“What evidence?”
“Bank records. Recorded calls. Names.”
“Where?”
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know?”
“He hid it.”
Alexander paced.
“Then what happened?”
“A truck started following us.”
“Did you recognize it?”
“No.”
“Were you speeding?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Daniel told me to.”
“What happened?”
“The truck hit us from behind.”
Alexander stopped.
“Once?”
“Three times.”
Evelyn’s voice shook.
“I lost control. The car went through the barrier.”
Alexander imagined it.
Rain.
Metal.
His father screaming.
His mother driving.
A six-year-old boy in the back.
“We rolled down an embankment.”
“And Dad?”
“Daniel was hurt badly.”
“Was he alive?”
Evelyn’s tears came.
“Yes.”
Alexander’s throat tightened.
“How long?”
“I don’t know.”
“Did you leave him?”
“No.”
“Mom, did you leave him?”
“I couldn’t move.”
She touched her ribs as if the old pain had returned.
“I was trapped.”
“And me?”
“You were unconscious.”
“What happened next?”
“A man came down the hill.”
Alexander stopped.
“The truck driver?”
“I thought he was coming to help.”
Her face changed.
“He opened Daniel’s door.”
“What did he do?”
“He asked him one question.”
“What?”
“Where are the files?”
Alexander’s breathing slowed.
“What did Dad say?”
“He laughed.”
Evelyn smiled through tears.
“Your father was dying, and he laughed at him.”
Alexander could almost see the man he barely remembered.
“Then what?”
“The man pulled Daniel from the car.”
Evelyn’s voice broke.
“And shot him.”
Alexander stared at her.
“Right in front of you?”
“Yes.”
He sat down slowly.
“Why didn’t he kill you?”
“He thought I was dead.”
“And me?”
“He didn’t see you.”
Alexander covered his mouth.
For twenty-nine years, his life had rested on a lie.
But underneath the lie was something worse.
A miracle.
He had survived because a killer hadn’t looked in the back seat.
“Was it Richard?”
“I couldn’t see his face.”
Alexander stood.
“So Richard could be telling the truth.”
Evelyn looked at him sharply.
“About what?”
“He says he didn’t kill Dad.”
“He’s lying.”
“You just said you didn’t see the shooter.”
“I know Richard arranged it.”
“How?”
“Daniel told me.”
“Told you what?”
“That if anything happened, Richard was responsible.”
Alexander rubbed his face.
“Mom, that isn’t proof.”
“No.”
“Then what is?”
Evelyn looked toward the window.
“There was one person who could prove it.”
Alexander’s eyes narrowed.
“Who?”
“Daniel’s accountant.”
“Name?”
“Samuel Price.”
Alexander waited.
Evelyn whispered,
“I thought he was dead.”
“Thought?”
May you like
She looked at her son.
“Victoria told me he’s alive.”
