Chapter 6: ## Chapter 6: The Photograph From the Hospital
For almost a full minute, I couldn't move.
The photograph: The Photograph From the Hospital
For almost a full minute, I couldn't move.
The photograph on my phone showed my father outside my mother's hospital room, his on my phone showed my father outside my mother's hospital room, his face buried in his hands, while Monica stood behind him holding a folder marked *EMILY'S TRUST — ORIGINAL COPY*.
I had never seen that folder.
face buried in his hands, while Monica stood behind him holding a folder marked *EMILY'S TRUST — ORIGINAL COPY*.
I had never seen that folder.
I had never even known it existed.
And the photograph had been taken on the night my mother died.
"Patricia," I whispered, "do you recognize this?""
She leaned acrossI had never even known it existed.
And the photograph had been taken on the night my mother died.
"Patricia," I whispered, "do you recognize this?""
She leaned across the desk.
The moment she saw the picture, the color drained from her face.
"Where did you get that?""
"Someone just texted it to me.""
She enlarged the image with trembling fingers the desk.
The moment she saw the picture, the color drained from her face.
"Where did you get that?""
"Someone just texted it to me.""
She enlarged the image with trembling fingers.
"That's St. Vincent's Hospital. Thomas was there that night.""
I looked at her.
"Your husband was at the hospital when my mother died?""
"Yes. Your mother.
"That's St. Vincent's Hospital. Thomas was there that night.""
I looked at her.
"Your husband was at the hospital when my mother died?""
"Yes. Your mother asked him to come. She wanted to discuss her trust before she became too ill to speak for herself.""
My chest tightened.
"Why didn't asked him to come. She wanted to discuss her trust before she became too ill to speak for herself.""
My chest tightened.
"Why didn't anyone tell me?""
"You were seventeen, Emily. You were sitting beside your mother's bed. Thomas said Laura wanted to protect you from financial anyone tell me?""
"You were seventeen, Emily. You were sitting beside your mother's bed. Thomas said Laura wanted to protect you from financial matters until you were older.""
I stared at the photograph again.
Monica was standing near the nurses' station, watching my father with an expression I couldn't quite read.
She didn't look sad matters until you were older.""
I stared at the photograph again.
Monica was standing near the nurses' station, watching my father with an expression I couldn't quite read.
She didn't look sad.
She looked impatient.
"Did Thomas tell you what happened that night?"" I asked.
Patricia nodded slowly.
"He said your mother had discovered a discrepancy.
She looked impatient.
"Did Thomas tell you what happened that night?"" I asked.
Patricia nodded slowly.
"He said your mother had discovered a discrepancy in one of her accounts. She believed money intended for your future had been redirected.""
"By Monica?""
"He suspected her. But he didn't have enough proof.""
My hands curled into fists beneath in one of her accounts. She believed money intended for your future had been redirected.""
"By Monica?""
"He suspected her. But he didn't have enough proof.""
My hands curled into fists beneath the desk.
"Then why didn't he tell my father?""
"He tried. Thomas said Daniel was devastated by Laura's illness and trusted Monica to the desk.
"Then why didn't he tell my father?""
"He tried. Thomas said Daniel was devastated by Laura's illness and trusted Monica to help him manage the paperwork. He didn't want to accuse anyone without evidence.""
I looked at the photograph.
"Someone sent me this because they want me to question my father.""
" help him manage the paperwork. He didn't want to accuse anyone without evidence.""
I looked at the photograph.
"Someone sent me this because they want me to question my father.""
"Or because they know something about that night.""
Before I could respond, the office door opened.
Dad stood in the doorway, breathing hard. He hadOr because they know something about that night.""
Before I could respond, the office door opened.
Dad stood in the doorway, breathing hard. He had driven across Atlanta during rush hour, and his shirt was wrinkled beneath his jacket.
"Emily.""
I stood immediately.
driven across Atlanta during rush hour, and his shirt was wrinkled beneath his jacket.
"Emily.""
I stood immediately.
"I'm okay.""
He looked at Patricia.
She rose slowly.
"Daniel.""
He stared at her.
"You're Thomas's"I'm okay.""
He looked at Patricia.
She rose slowly.
"Daniel.""
He stared at her.
"You're Thomas's wife.""
"Yes.""
For a moment, neither moved.
Then Dad stepped into the room and shut the door.
"Why didn't you contact me years ago?""
Patricia's eyes filled with tears.
"I did. I sent letters to your office. I called your home. Someone wife.""
"Yes.""
For a moment, neither moved.
Then Dad stepped into the room and shut the door.
"Why didn't you contact me years ago?""
Patricia's eyes filled with tears.
"I did. I sent letters to your office. I called your home. Someone told me you didn't want to hear from me.""
Dad's expression changed.
"Who told you that?""
"I never got a name. A woman answered the phone and said you were dealing with your wife's estate and wanted no further contact with Thomas.""
told me you didn't want to hear from me.""
Dad's expression changed.
"Who told you that?""
"I never got a name. A woman answered the phone and said you were dealing with your wife's estate and wanted no further contact with Thomas.""
Dad stared at her.
"That wasn't me.""
"I know that now.""
He turned toward me.
"Show me the photograph.""
I handed him my phone.
He studied the image for several seconds, then sat down heavily.
"That's the hospital corridorDad stared at her.
"That wasn't me.""
"I know that now.""
He turned toward me.
"Show me the photograph.""
I handed him my phone.
He studied the image for several seconds, then sat down heavily.
"That's the hospital corridor outside Laura's room.""
"You remember it?"" I asked.
"Of course I remember it.""
His voice broke.
"I remember every minute of that night.""
He closed his eyes.
"I was exhausted. Your outside Laura's room.""
"You remember it?"" I asked.
"Of course I remember it.""
His voice broke.
"I remember every minute of that night.""
He closed his eyes.
"I was exhausted. Your mother had been in and out of consciousness. The doctors had told us there was very little more they could do.""
I sat beside him.
"What happened with the folder?""
Dad rubbed mother had been in and out of consciousness. The doctors had told us there was very little more they could do.""
I sat beside him.
"What happened with the folder?""
Dad rubbed his face.
"Monica told me she had gathered Laura's estate documents because the hospital needed certain forms signed. I remember seeing a folder, but I never looked inside it.""
"Did you sign anything his face.
"Monica told me she had gathered Laura's estate documents because the hospital needed certain forms signed. I remember seeing a folder, but I never looked inside it.""
"Did you sign anything that night?""
He shook his head.
"I don't think so. I was with your mother almost the entire time.""
"Then why does the photograph show Monica holding the original that night?""
He shook his head.
"I don't think so. I was with your mother almost the entire time.""
"Then why does the photograph show Monica holding the original trust?""
"I don't know.""
Patricia placed Thomas's email on the desk.
"Thomas believed the trust was altered after Laura died. He sent me copies trust?""
"I don't know.""
Patricia placed Thomas's email on the desk.
"Thomas believed the trust was altered after Laura died. He sent me copies of his notes, but the original documents disappeared.""
Dad read the email.
His jaw tightened.
"Why would Monica have your husband's records?""
"Thomas believed someone had been accessing his office after he disappeared.""
"Who of his notes, but the original documents disappeared.""
Dad read the email.
His jaw tightened.
"Why would Monica have your husband's records?""
"Thomas believed someone had been accessing his office after he disappeared.""
"Who?""
Patricia looked down.
"Monica had a key.""
The silence that followed was broken by my phone vibrating again.
Another message from the?""
Patricia looked down.
"Monica had a key.""
The silence that followed was broken by my phone vibrating again.
Another message from the unknown number.
Ask Daniel who was alone with Laura during the final twenty minutes.
Dad saw my face.
"What is unknown number.
Ask Daniel who was alone with Laura during the final twenty minutes.
Dad saw my face.
"What is it?""
I showed him.
He read the message, then stood so abruptly his chair scraped across the floor.
"This is enough.""
"Enough for what?"" I asked.
"Enough to it?""
I showed him.
He read the message, then stood so abruptly his chair scraped across the floor.
"This is enough.""
"Enough for what?"" I asked.
"Enough to stop letting someone frighten us into making decisions.""
He pulled out his phone and called Rebecca.
When she answered, he explained the photograph, the messages, and Patricia's stop letting someone frighten us into making decisions.""
He pulled out his phone and called Rebecca.
When she answered, he explained the photograph, the messages, and Patricia's connection to Thomas.
Rebecca listened without interrupting.
Then she said, "Do not respond to the sender. Preserve the messages and the original images. I'll arrange for the relevant evidence to be reviewed.""
Dad agreed connection to Thomas.
Rebecca listened without interrupting.
Then she said, "Do not respond to the sender. Preserve the messages and the original images. I'll arrange for the relevant evidence to be reviewed.""
Dad agreed.
After the call, he looked at Patricia.
"Do you have the original emails from Thomas?""
"Some of them. I kept everything he sent me.""
"Then I want Rebecca to examine them.""
Patricia nodded.
"I'll cooperate.
After the call, he looked at Patricia.
"Do you have the original emails from Thomas?""
"Some of them. I kept everything he sent me.""
"Then I want Rebecca to examine them.""
Patricia nodded.
"I'll cooperate.""
Dad turned toward me.
"We're going home.""
I gathered my bag and followed him outside.
The evening air was warm, but I shivered as we crossed the parking lot.
"Dad?""
"Yes?""
"Did you know Mom suspected.""
Dad turned toward me.
"We're going home.""
I gathered my bag and followed him outside.
The evening air was warm, but I shivered as we crossed the parking lot.
"Dad?""
"Yes?""
"Did you know Mom suspected someone was taking her money?""
He stopped beside his truck.
"No.""
"Did she ever tell you she was afraid of Monica?""
His face tightened.
"Not in those words.""
"What words did she use?""
Dad stared toward the someone was taking her money?""
He stopped beside his truck.
"No.""
"Did she ever tell you she was afraid of Monica?""
His face tightened.
"Not in those words.""
"What words did she use?""
Dad stared toward the street.
"She told me she wanted you to have something that belonged only to you. She said she was worried that after she was gone, people would make decisions about your future without asking you.""
My throat closed.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I thought she was talking about ordinary street.
"She told me she wanted you to have something that belonged only to you. She said she was worried that after she was gone, people would make decisions about your future without asking you.""
My throat closed.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I thought she was talking about ordinary family matters. I didn't understand what she was trying to warn me about.""
He opened the passenger door.
"Emily, I need you to know something. Whatever happened with the money, you are family matters. I didn't understand what she was trying to warn me about.""
He opened the passenger door.
"Emily, I need you to know something. Whatever happened with the money, you are not responsible for it. You were a child when those documents were signed.""
I climbed into the truck.
But the words in the message kept turning over in my mind.
Who was alone with Laura during the final twenty minutes?
At home, Monica was not responsible for it. You were a child when those documents were signed.""
I climbed into the truck.
But the words in the message kept turning over in my mind.
Who was alone with Laura during the final twenty minutes?
At home, Monica was waiting in the living room.
She stood as soon as we entered.
"Where have you been?""
Dad set his keys on the table.
"Out.""
"Without waiting in the living room.
She stood as soon as we entered.
"Where have you been?""
Dad set his keys on the table.
"Out.""
"Without telling me?""
"I don't need your permission to leave my own house.""
Her eyes flashed.
Then she noticed Patricia's envelope in telling me?""
"I don't need your permission to leave my own house.""
Her eyes flashed.
Then she noticed Patricia's envelope in my hand.
"What is that?""
"Documents relating to Laura's estate," Dad replied.
Monica went completely still.
For a second, I thought she might deny knowing anything about my hand.
"What is that?""
"Documents relating to Laura's estate," Dad replied.
Monica went completely still.
For a second, I thought she might deny knowing anything about them.
Instead, she laughed.
"You're still chasing this ridiculous story?""
Dad took a step toward her.
"Where is the original trust?""
She folded her arms.
"I them.
Instead, she laughed.
"You're still chasing this ridiculous story?""
Dad took a step toward her.
"Where is the original trust?""
She folded her arms.
"I have no idea what you're talking about.""
"The trust document with Laura's signature. The one you were holding at the hospital.""
Monica's face went blank have no idea what you're talking about.""
"The trust document with Laura's signature. The one you were holding at the hospital.""
Monica's face went blank.
Then she recovered.
"That photograph proves nothing. I was helping you manage paperwork while you were grieving.""
"Then you won't mind explaining why the trust was apparently changed after Laura died.""
"I.
Then she recovered.
"That photograph proves nothing. I was helping you manage paperwork while you were grieving.""
"Then you won't mind explaining why the trust was apparently changed after Laura died.""
"I didn't change anything.""
"Why was three hundred and fifty thousand dollars transferred to Meridian Lifestyle Services?""
She stared at him.
"How do you know about Meridian?""
Dad's expression didn't change anything.""
"Why was three hundred and fifty thousand dollars transferred to Meridian Lifestyle Services?""
She stared at him.
"How do you know about Meridian?""
Dad's expression hardened.
"You just confirmed you know the company.""
Monica's lips parted.
Then she looked at me.
"You little—"
"Don't," Dad warned hardened.
"You just confirmed you know the company.""
Monica's lips parted.
Then she looked at me.
"You little—"
"Don't," Dad warned.
She turned back toward him.
"You are destroying this family over a dead woman's paperwork.""
"No. I'm trying to find out what happened to my wife's money.""
Monica laughed bitterly.
"Your wife? You barely remember those.
She turned back toward him.
"You are destroying this family over a dead woman's paperwork.""
"No. I'm trying to find out what happened to my wife's money.""
Monica laughed bitterly.
"Your wife? You barely remember those final months. I was the one who handled everything while you sat beside her bed pretending you could save her.""
The words struck Dad like a physical blow.
I stepped forward.
"How dare you?""
Monica pointed final months. I was the one who handled everything while you sat beside her bed pretending you could save her.""
The words struck Dad like a physical blow.
I stepped forward.
"How dare you?""
Monica pointed at me.
"Stay out of this.""
"No. You sold my car, took money from my mother's estate, and now you're blaming Dad for being there when she died?""
Dad raised his hand.
"Emily.""
But I couldn't stop.
"Tell us what was in that folder!""
at me.
"Stay out of this.""
"No. You sold my car, took money from my mother's estate, and now you're blaming Dad for being there when she died?""
Dad raised his hand.
"Emily.""
But I couldn't stop.
"Tell us what was in that folder!""
Monica's face twisted.
Then, suddenly, she smiled.
It was a small, cold smile that made the room feel darker.
"You want the truth?"" she asked.
She walked toward the staircase.
"Fine. AskMonica's face twisted.
Then, suddenly, she smiled.
It was a small, cold smile that made the room feel darker.
"You want the truth?"" she asked.
She walked toward the staircase.
"Fine. Ask your father why he never told you what your mother said to him before she died.""
Dad went pale.
Monica turned on the first step.
"Ask him what he promised her.""
Then she disappeared upstairs.
I turned toward Dad.
"What did Mom your father why he never told you what your mother said to him before she died.""
Dad went pale.
Monica turned on the first step.
"Ask him what he promised her.""
Then she disappeared upstairs.
I turned toward Dad.
"What did Mom say to you?""
He stood motionless in the middle of the living room.
"Dad?""
He looked at me, and the grief in his eyes frightened me more than Monica's anger.
"Your mother asked me to say to you?""
He stood motionless in the middle of the living room.
"Dad?""
He looked at me, and the grief in his eyes frightened me more than Monica's anger.
"Your mother asked me to protect you," he whispered.
"I know.""
"No, Emily. You don't understand.""
He reached for the back of a chair.
"She made me promise that if anything happened to protect you," he whispered.
"I know.""
"No, Emily. You don't understand.""
He reached for the back of a chair.
"She made me promise that if anything happened to her, I would never let anyone take control of your inheritance.""
My heart pounded.
"Then why did you let Monica handle the paperwork?""
"Because I thought she was helping me fulfill her, I would never let anyone take control of your inheritance.""
My heart pounded.
"Then why did you let Monica handle the paperwork?""
"Because I thought she was helping me fulfill that promise.""
He looked down.
"And because I didn't realize until much later that your mother had been trying to warn me about someone.""
"Who that promise.""
He looked down.
"And because I didn't realize until much later that your mother had been trying to warn me about someone.""
"Who?""
Dad lifted his eyes.
Before he could answer, a loud crash came from upstairs.
Then Monica screamed.
"Daniel! Get up here! Someone has been in my room!""
Dad ran toward the stairs.
I?""
Dad lifted his eyes.
Before he could answer, a loud crash came from upstairs.
Then Monica screamed.
"Daniel! Get up here! Someone has been in my room!""
Dad ran toward the stairs.
I followed.
Monica stood beside her open wardrobe, clutching an empty jewelry box.
Her dresser drawers had been pulled out. Clothes lay scattered across the bed.
But she wasn't looking at the mess.
She was staring at the open safe behind a followed.
Monica stood beside her open wardrobe, clutching an empty jewelry box.
Her dresser drawers had been pulled out. Clothes lay scattered across the bed.
But she wasn't looking at the mess.
She was staring at the open safe behind a row of dresses.
"It's gone," she whispered.
Dad stopped at the doorway.
"What's gone?""
Monica turned toward him.
For the first time, she looked genuinely terrified.
"The original trust document.""
Then she looked directly at me.
"And I know who took it.""
row of dresses.
"It's gone," she whispered.
Dad stopped at the doorway.
"What's gone?""
Monica turned toward him.
For the first time, she looked genuinely terrified.
"The original trust document.""
May you like
Then she looked directly at me.
"And I know who took it.""
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