Daniel read the message again, then slipped his phone into his pocket before Detective Reed could see the screen.
*Come to the blue house tonight. Come alone.*
The hospital room seemed suddenly too small. Lily sat against her pillows, hugging her stuffed rabbit, while the monitor beside her bed beeped at steady intervals.
“Daddy?”” she whispered.
“Are you going somewhere?””
Daniel forced his attention back to her.
“No, sweetheart. Not without telling you.””
“Grandma always says that, but then she leaves me with people I don’t know.””
The words landed harder than any accusation Evelyn could have made.
Daniel pulled a chair closer to the bed.
“I can’t explain everything yet, Lily. But I’m going to make sure you’re safe.””
“Can Rosa stay with me?””
“Of course.””
“And Denise?””
“If you want her.””
Lily nodded, her eyes beginning to close.
Daniel waited until she was asleep before stepping into the corridor.
Detective Marcus Reed stood beside the nurses’ station, reading the photocopied statement from the retired evidence clerk. He looked up as Daniel approached.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.””
“I received a message.””
Daniel showed him the phone.
Reed read it without speaking. Then he examined the number.
“Prepaid phone,” he said.
“We’ll see whether our people can trace it.””
“Someone wants me at a blue house tonight.””
“Someone wants you isolated.””
“They mentioned Caroline’s killer.””
“Which means they know about the missing evidence, or they’re hoping you’ll believe they do.””
Daniel leaned against the wall.
“Lily says my mother was driving when the car crashed.””
Reed’s jaw tightened.
“Children can retain fragments of traumatic experiences, but we need to be careful about leading questions. What she told us matters. We need to document her exact words and let trained professionals handle any further interview.””
“I understand.””
“Do you? Because if you confront your mother tonight, she may destroy whatever evidence remains.””
Daniel looked through the window of Lily’s room.
“She’s already had three years.””
“And if we rush now, she could have another three.””
Reed closed the folder.
“Let me arrange protection for Lily. I’ll also have officers search for the original witness and the attorney holding Hale’s envelope.””
“What about the blue house?””
“We investigate it before anyone goes near it.””
Daniel nodded, but his phone remained heavy in his pocket.
He knew he should tell Reed about the second message.
He also knew that someone had found a way to reach him inside a hospital where his daughter was being monitored. Whoever sent it might already be watching the building.
Before he could speak, a nurse approached.
“Mr. Bennett, there’s a visitor asking for you.””
“Who?””
“She says her name is Margaret Cole. She claims she knew your wife.””
Reed straightened.
“Did you ask her to come?””
“No.””
The nurse glanced toward the lobby.
“She says she won’t leave until she speaks with you.””
Daniel exchanged a look with Reed.
“Bring her to the consultation room,” the detective said.
“I’ll be there in a minute.””
Margaret Cole was in her late sixties, with short gray hair and a dark green coat buttoned to her throat. She carried a battered leather handbag and held it against her body as though someone might try to take it.
When Daniel entered, she stood.
“You look like Caroline,” she said.
He stiffened.
“Who are you?””
“Someone who should have spoken three years ago.””
“About what?””
Margaret glanced at Reed, who had entered behind him.
“Is he police?””
“Detective Reed,” Daniel replied.
“Good.”” She set her handbag on the table.
“Then perhaps someone will finally listen.””
She removed a small photograph.
It showed Caroline standing in front of a modest blue house with white shutters. A little girl sat on her shoulders, laughing, while a younger Margaret stood beside them.
Daniel recognized his daughter immediately.
Lily was three years old in the picture.
“Where was this taken?”” he asked.
“My house. Two weeks before Caroline died.””
Daniel studied the photograph.
“Why was my wife at your house?””
“Because she was afraid.””
“Of my mother?””
Margaret looked down at the photograph.
“Caroline told me that Evelyn had been interfering with her marriage, her finances, and her relationship with Lily. She said your mother wanted control over everything.””
Daniel felt his stomach tighten.
“My mother helped us after Lily was born.””
“I know. Caroline said the same thing. She was grateful at first. But gratitude can become a chain when someone insists you owe them your entire life.””
Margaret opened her handbag again and removed a folded letter.
“This was given to me the night before the accident. Caroline told me to keep it somewhere safe.””
Daniel reached for it.
Margaret held on.
“Before I give you this, I need to know something. Does Evelyn still live at your estate?””
“Yes.””
