Chapter 2 - Lily
The police separated everyone.
Victoria was taken to the library.
I stayed with Lily.
A female officer named Sergeant Elena Ruiz crouched beside her.
“Do you know where you came from tonight?”
Lily nodded.
“Nora’s house.”
“Who is Nora?”
“She helps Mommy.”
“Where is Mommy?”
Lily looked at me.
“Sleeping.”
My throat tightened.
“Sleeping where?”
“At the little house.”
“Can you show us?”
She nodded.
I asked how she reached Whitmore House.
“Nora brought me.”
“Where is Nora now?”
“Outside.”
Police found an elderly woman sitting inside a car near the service gate.
Her name was Nora Bennett.
Sixty-four.
Retired nurse.
When officers mentioned Emma, Nora began crying.
“I was hoping Lily would reach him before Victoria saw us.”
I stared at her.
“You know my wife?”
Nora looked at me.
“Yes.”
“Is she alive?”
Her answer came immediately.
“Yes.”
The world became silent.
Five years.
Five years of visiting a grave.
Five years of birthdays I spent alone.
Five Christmas mornings staring at Emma’s empty chair.
Five years believing the last words I ever said to her had been an argument about a business trip.
I gripped the edge of the table.
“Take me to her.”
Nora hesitated.
“Mr. Whitmore—”
“Now.”
“She’s frightened.”
“So am I.”
“She has reasons not to trust your family.”
“My family?”
Nora glanced toward the library where Victoria was being questioned.
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“Victoria was not the only person involved.”
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