Chapter 9: The Man Who Came to the Hospital
At 2:17 p.m., Marcus Reed arrived at St. Matthew's Medical Center carrying The Man Who Came to the Hospital
At 2:17 p.m., Marcus Reed arrived at St. Matthew's Medical Center carrying a bouquet of white roses.
I saw him through the glass doors of the hospital corridor.
He wore a charcoal a bouquet of white roses.
I saw him through the glass doors of the hospital corridor.
He wore a charcoal suit, polished black shoes, and the silver watch he had worn when he left Chloe at the terminal. His hair was perfectly arranged suit, polished black shoes, and the silver watch he had worn when he left Chloe at the terminal. His hair was perfectly arranged, and his expression was solemn enough to suggest he had rehearsed it in the car.
He looked like a devoted husband visiting, and his expression was solemn enough to suggest he had rehearsed it in the car.
He looked like a devoted husband visiting his injured wife.
He did not look like the man who had sent me a photograph of his mistress wearing Chloe's dress.
I stepped into the corridor his injured wife.
He did not look like the man who had sent me a photograph of his mistress wearing Chloe's dress.
I stepped into the corridor before he could reach her room.
“Where do you think you're going?””
Marcus stopped.
For a moment, surprise crossed his face. Then he arranged his features into the concerned expression he had probably intended before he could reach her room.
“Where do you think you're going?””
Marcus stopped.
For a moment, surprise crossed his face. Then he arranged his features into the concerned expression he had probably intended to show the nurses.
“Eleanor. I'm here to see my wife.””
“She doesn't want to see you.””
“You don't to show the nurses.
“Eleanor. I'm here to see my wife.””
“She doesn't want to see you.””
“You don't speak for Chloe.””
“No. She does. And she has told us she doesn't want you here.””
His eyes narrowed speak for Chloe.””
“No. She does. And she has told us she doesn't want you here.””
His eyes narrowed.
“Us?””
“Her medical team. Her attorney. The police.””
He glanced toward the nurses' station.
“Can we discuss this privately?””
.
“Us?””
“Her medical team. Her attorney. The police.””
He glanced toward the nurses' station.
“Can we discuss this privately?””
“No.””
His mouth tightened.
“You're making a spectacle“No.””
His mouth tightened.
“You're making a spectacle of something that should remain a family matter.””
I stared at him.
“You left your injured wife outside a bus terminal in freezing weather.””
“That is of something that should remain a family matter.””
I stared at him.
“You left your injured wife outside a bus terminal in freezing weather.””
“That is not what happened.””
“Then explain why your car was recorded at the terminal shortly before she was found.””
“I dropped her off because she insisted on leaving.””
“Was she injured when you dropped her off?””
He not what happened.””
“Then explain why your car was recorded at the terminal shortly before she was found.””
“I dropped her off because she insisted on leaving.””
“Was she injured when you dropped her off?””
He looked away for half a second.
“She was upset.””
“That wasn't my question.””
Marcus lowered looked away for half a second.
“She was upset.””
“That wasn't my question.””
Marcus lowered his voice.
“Eleanor, please. I'm trying to handle this with dignity.””
“You had your opportunity to behave with dignity. You chose differently.””
He looked down at the roses his voice.
“Eleanor, please. I'm trying to handle this with dignity.””
“You had your opportunity to behave with dignity. You chose differently.””
He looked down at the roses.
“I brought these for her.””
“Put them in the lobby.””
His.
“I brought these for her.””
“Put them in the lobby.””
His face hardened.
“You have no idea what you're doing.””
“I know exactly what I'm doing. I'm protecting my daughter.””
He stepped closer.
“You think because you used to face hardened.
“You have no idea what you're doing.””
“I know exactly what I'm doing. I'm protecting my daughter.””
He stepped closer.
“You think because you used to work in a federal office, you can intimidate me?””
I didn't move.
“I haven't mentioned my former job.””
“You work in a federal office, you can intimidate me?””
I didn't move.
“I haven't mentioned my former job.””
“You've made sure everyone knows.””
“Then perhaps you should ask yourself why that concerns you.””
For the first time, his expression've made sure everyone knows.””
“Then perhaps you should ask yourself why that concerns you.””
For the first time, his expression slipped.
His eyes darted toward the nurses' station again.
A security officer approached.
“Sir, slipped.
His eyes darted toward the nurses' station again.
A security officer approached.
“Sir, do you have an appointment to see a patient?””
“I'm her husband.””
“Is the patient expecting you?””
Marcus hesitated.
“I haven't spoken to her directly.””
“Then do you have an appointment to see a patient?””
“I'm her husband.””
“Is the patient expecting you?””
Marcus hesitated.
“I haven't spoken to her directly.””
“Then I'll need to confirm whether she's willing to receive visitors.””
Marcus turned toward me.
“You've poisoned I'll need to confirm whether she's willing to receive visitors.””
Marcus turned toward me.
“You've poisoned her against me.””
“No, Marcus. You did that yourself.””
The security officer asked him to wait while he contacted the nursing staff.
A nurse came out a minute later.
“Mr. Reed, your her against me.””
“No, Marcus. You did that yourself.””
The security officer asked him to wait while he contacted the nursing staff.
A nurse came out a minute later.
“Mr. Reed, your wife has requested no visitors from you at this time. You're welcome to leave a message wife has requested no visitors from you at this time. You're welcome to leave a message with the patient advocate.””
Marcus stared at her.
“I'm her husband.””
“I understand. She has still declined the visit.””
He placed the bouquet on a nearby table with more force than necessary.
“ with the patient advocate.””
Marcus stared at her.
“I'm her husband.””
“I understand. She has still declined the visit.””
He placed the bouquet on a nearby table with more force than necessary.
“Fine.””
Then he turned to me.
“This isn't over.””
“No,” I said.
“It isn't.””
He walked toward the elevators.
I watched until the doors closed.
ThenFine.””
Then he turned to me.
“This isn't over.””
“No,” I said.
“It isn't.””
He walked toward the elevators.
I watched until the doors closed.
Then I went back to Chloe's room.
She was awake, staring at the ceiling.
“Was that Marcus?””
“Yes.””
She swallowed.
“Did he come to see I went back to Chloe's room.
She was awake, staring at the ceiling.
“Was that Marcus?””
“Yes.””
She swallowed.
“Did he come to see me?””
“He said he did.””
She turned toward me.
“Did he bring flowers?””
I paused me?””
“He said he did.””
She turned toward me.
“Did he bring flowers?””
I paused.
“Yes.””
A bitter smile crossed her face.
“He used to bring flowers after arguments. Usually after he said something cruel enough that I couldn't sleep.””
I sat beside her.
“Did.
“Yes.””
A bitter smile crossed her face.
“He used to bring flowers after arguments. Usually after he said something cruel enough that I couldn't sleep.””
I sat beside her.
“Did they make you feel better?””
“For a little while. Then I'd start wondering whether I was being unfair to him.””
She they make you feel better?””
“For a little while. Then I'd start wondering whether I was being unfair to him.””
She looked at her hands.
“Last night, when he told me looked at her hands.
“Last night, when he told me I was ruining Thanksgiving, I actually apologized. I told him I was sorry I'd found the messages.””
I squeezed her hand.
“You don't have to apologize for discovering the truth.””
“I know that now.””
She stared toward the window.
“ I was ruining Thanksgiving, I actually apologized. I told him I was sorry I'd found the messages.””
I squeezed her hand.
“You don't have to apologize for discovering the truth.””
“I know that now.””
She stared toward the window.
“Mom, when he came in, I thought I might forgive him if he just said he was sorry.””
“It's understandableMom, when he came in, I thought I might forgive him if he just said he was sorry.””
“It's understandable to want an apology from someone you loved.””
“But I don't want him back.””
I nodded.
“Then that's what matters.””
At 2:46 p.m., Detective Collins called.
“Ms. Hayes, we need to document Marcus's attempt to visit Chloe. The hospital has already recorded her decision to decline the visit.””
“Understood.””
“Did he speak with you?””
I to want an apology from someone you loved.””
“But I don't want him back.””
I nodded.
“Then that's what matters.””
At 2:46 p.m., Detective Collins called.
“Ms. Hayes, we need to document Marcus's attempt to visit Chloe. The hospital has already recorded her decision to decline the visit.””
“Understood.””
“Did he speak with you?””
I recounted the conversation as accurately as I could, including his statement that I had no idea what I was doing and his comment about my former federal position.
Collins listened.
recounted the conversation as accurately as I could, including his statement that I had no idea what I was doing and his comment about my former federal position.
Collins listened.
“Did he threaten you physically?””
“No.””
“Did he attempt to enter the room?””
“He did not get past the nurses' station.””
““Did he threaten you physically?””
“No.””
“Did he attempt to enter the room?””
“He did not get past the nurses' station.””
“Thank you. We'll document the contact.””
I paused.
“Detective, is there any reason Marcus should be coming to the hospital while the investigation is underway?””
“That's a question for the court and the appropriate authorities.Thank you. We'll document the contact.””
I paused.
“Detective, is there any reason Marcus should be coming to the hospital while the investigation is underway?””
“That's a question for the court and the appropriate authorities. If Chloe seeks a protective order, her attorney can explain the options. In the meantime, hospital staff can enforce If Chloe seeks a protective order, her attorney can explain the options. In the meantime, hospital staff can enforce their visitor policies.””
“Thank you.””
After the their visitor policies.””
“Thank you.””
After the call, I walked to the cafeteria and bought a cup of coffee.
I had barely taken a sip when Daniel called.
“Eleanor, I just spoke with Rebecca. There's an important update.””
“What happened?””
“Martin Ellis's records have been examined by the investigators. They've call, I walked to the cafeteria and bought a cup of coffee.
I had barely taken a sip when Daniel called.
“Eleanor, I just spoke with Rebecca. There's an important update.””
“What happened?””
“Martin Ellis's records have been examined by the investigators. They've identified discrepancies that appear to be consistent with the concerns he described. The records are still being authenticated, and no final conclusions have been reached.””
“Does that involve Marcus?””
“Some correspondence references his department. The investigators are identified discrepancies that appear to be consistent with the concerns he described. The records are still being authenticated, and no final conclusions have been reached.””
“Does that involve Marcus?””
“Some correspondence references his department. The investigators are looking into who created and approved the revised reports.””
I leaned against the wall.
“Have they found anything connecting him to Daniel Foster's disappearance?””
“Not conclus looking into who created and approved the revised reports.””
I leaned against the wall.
“Have they found anything connecting him to Daniel Foster's disappearance?””
“Not conclusively. They're examining the timeline and the communications, but we shouldn't jump ahead.””
“I agree.””
Daniel paused.
“There's something else. Marcus's employer has placed him on administrative leave while it reviews the matter. His access to certain systems has been suspendedively. They're examining the timeline and the communications, but we shouldn't jump ahead.””
“I agree.””
Daniel paused.
“There's something else. Marcus's employer has placed him on administrative leave while it reviews the matter. His access to certain systems has been suspended.””
“Has the company said why?””
“Only that it's conducting an internal review and cooperating with relevant authorities where required.””
I looked through the cafeteria window.
“So his.””
“Has the company said why?””
“Only that it's conducting an internal review and cooperating with relevant authorities where required.””
I looked through the cafeteria window.
“So his promotion is on hold.””
“Effectively, yes. But that's an employment decision, not a finding of promotion is on hold.””
“Effectively, yes. But that's an employment decision, not a finding of guilt.””
I knew he was right.
For years, I had watched people confuse consequences with proof. A suspension could reflect risk management, not culpability. An investigation could uncover misconduct or clear a person's name.
The evidence had to determine what happened.
Still guilt.””
I knew he was right.
For years, I had watched people confuse consequences with proof. A suspension could reflect risk management, not culpability. An investigation could uncover misconduct or clear a person's name.
The evidence had to determine what happened.
Still, Marcus had built his identity around professional status. He had used his job to make Chloe feel indebted, Marcus had built his identity around professional status. He had used his job to make Chloe feel indebted to him.
He had told her that his career gave him the right to control their to him. He had told her that his career gave him the right to control their household.
Now the institution he had used as a shield was asking questions of its own.
At 3:18 p.m., Rebecca household.
Now the institution he had used as a shield was asking questions of its own.
At 3:18 p.m., Rebecca arrived at the hospital.
She carried a copy of the preliminary protective-order application and a short list of items Chloe wanted retrieved from the house.
“Chloe, the attorney handling the application believes we have sufficient material to request temporary protections,” she said.
“The court will decide what to issue. We can't promise a particular outcome.””
Chloe nodded.
“I want him to stay away from me.””
“Then arrived at the hospital.
She carried a copy of the preliminary protective-order application and a short list of items Chloe wanted retrieved from the house.
“Chloe, the attorney handling the application believes we have sufficient material to request temporary protections,” she said.
“The court will decide what to issue. We can't promise a particular outcome.””
Chloe nodded.
“I want him to stay away from me.””
“Then we'll make that request clearly.””
Rebecca reviewed the documentation: the medical records, the messages, the police incident number, and the description of the terminal footage.
She also included the threats concerning the engineering folder.
“It's important that the application distinguishes between what you personally experienced and what you learned from we'll make that request clearly.””
Rebecca reviewed the documentation: the medical records, the messages, the police incident number, and the description of the terminal footage.
She also included the threats concerning the engineering folder.
“It's important that the application distinguishes between what you personally experienced and what you learned from other people,” she explained.
“That helps the court understand the basis for each statement.””
Chloe signed the necessary forms.
other people,” she explained.
“That helps the court understand the basis for each statement.””
Chloe signed the necessary forms.
After Rebecca left, my daughter looked exhausted.
“Mom, what happens if the court says no?””
“Then we'll discuss the available options with the attorney. We won't stop looking for ways to keep you safe.””
SheAfter Rebecca left, my daughter looked exhausted.
“Mom, what happens if the court says no?””
“Then we'll discuss the available options with the attorney. We won't stop looking for ways to keep you safe.””
She nodded.
At 4:02 p.m., Detective Collins arrived with a new development.
“The digital forensics team has recovered additional data from Chloe's phone,” he said.
“We're not ready to characterize all of it, but there are messages between Marcus and Vanessa that may be relevant to the events nodded.
At 4:02 p.m., Detective Collins arrived with a new development.
“The digital forensics team has recovered additional data from Chloe's phone,” he said.
“We're not ready to characterize all of it, but there are messages between Marcus and Vanessa that may be relevant to the events surrounding Thanksgiving.””
Chloe sat upright.
“What do they say?””
Collins glanced at me, then back at her.
“We surrounding Thanksgiving.””
Chloe sat upright.
“What do they say?””
Collins glanced at me, then back at her.
“We'll discuss the contents with you through the appropriate process. I don't want to summarize messages before we've verified their authenticity and context.””
She'll discuss the contents with you through the appropriate process. I don't want to summarize messages before we've verified their authenticity and context.””
She nodded.
“That's fair.””
He continued.
“One recovered notification appears to have been sent shortly before your nodded.
“That's fair.””
He continued.
“One recovered notification appears to have been sent shortly before your phone was taken. We are examining whether it relates to the threats you described.””
Chloe's phone was taken. We are examining whether it relates to the threats you described.””
Chloe's face tightened.
“Can you tell whether Marcus deleted anything?””
“The device shows signs of deleted messages face tightened.
“Can you tell whether Marcus deleted anything?””
“The device shows signs of deleted messages, but that doesn't establish who deleted them or why. Our specialists are working to recover what they can.””
I appreciated his caution.
After, but that doesn't establish who deleted them or why. Our specialists are working to recover what they can.””
I appreciated his caution.
After Collins left, Chloe looked at me.
“I wish I could remember everything.””
“You don't need to remember every detail. That's why we preserve records and speak to witnesses.””
She rested Collins left, Chloe looked at me.
“I wish I could remember everything.””
“You don't need to remember every detail. That's why we preserve records and speak to witnesses.””
She rested her head against the pillow.
“I used to think that if I kept everything organized, nothing bad could happen.””
I smiled sadly.
“You got her head against the pillow.
“I used to think that if I kept everything organized, nothing bad could happen.””
I smiled sadly.
“You got that from your father.””
“Dad believed every that from your father.””
“Dad believed every problem could be solved with a checklist.””
“He believed every problem could be approached with a checklist. He was less optimistic about actually solving them.””
Chloe laughed softly.
Then she fell quiet.
“Mom, if Marcus is connected to Daniel Foster's disappearance, what happens to me?””
“You remain the woman who discovered discrepancies in engineering records and tried to do the problem could be solved with a checklist.””
“He believed every problem could be approached with a checklist. He was less optimistic about actually solving them.””
Chloe laughed softly.
Then she fell quiet.
“Mom, if Marcus is connected to Daniel Foster's disappearance, what happens to me?””
“You remain the woman who discovered discrepancies in engineering records and tried to do the right thing. Whatever investigators establish about Marcus, it doesn't change your worth or make you responsible for his choices.””
She nodded slowly.
At 4:41 p.m., my phone rang.
It was Detective Collins.
“Ms. Hayes, we have a preliminary result from the examination of the recovered messages.””
I stood and right thing. Whatever investigators establish about Marcus, it doesn't change your worth or make you responsible for his choices.””
She nodded slowly.
At 4:41 p.m., my phone rang.
It was Detective Collins.
“Ms. Hayes, we have a preliminary result from the examination of the recovered messages.””
I stood and stepped into the hallway.
“What did they find?””
“A message from Marcus to Vanessa, sent on Thanksgiving morning. The stepped into the hallway.
“What did they find?””
“A message from Marcus to Vanessa, sent on Thanksgiving morning. The timestamp appears to be 4:31 a.m.””
“What does it say?””
Collins paused.
“We're still verifying the complete message, but the recovered portion reads: ‘Once timestamp appears to be 4:31 a.m.””
“What does it say?””
Collins paused.
“We're still verifying the complete message, but the recovered portion reads: ‘Once she's out, nobody will be looking at the old files.’”
I felt the blood drain from my face.
“Are you certain the message is authentic?””
“We're examining the device data and the account records. I don't want to make she's out, nobody will be looking at the old files.’”
I felt the blood drain from my face.
“Are you certain the message is authentic?””
“We're examining the device data and the account records. I don't want to make a definitive statement until that process is complete.””
“Does it mention Chloe by name?””
“The surrounding conversation appears a definitive statement until that process is complete.””
“Does it mention Chloe by name?””
“The surrounding conversation appears to concern her, but we need to recover the complete thread.””
I closed my eyes.
“Please preserve everything to concern her, but we need to recover the complete thread.””
I closed my eyes.
“Please preserve everything.””
“We are.””
When I returned to Chloe's room, she saw my expression immediately.
“What happened?””
I sat beside her.
“The investigators.””
“We are.””
When I returned to Chloe's room, she saw my expression immediately.
“What happened?””
I sat beside her.
“The investigators recovered a message that may connect the timing of your removal from the house with the documents. recovered a message that may connect the timing of your removal from the house with the documents. They're verifying it.””
She looked at me for several seconds.
“So I wasn't imagining it.””
“No. But we still They're verifying it.””
She looked at me for several seconds.
“So I wasn't imagining it.””
“No. But we still need to establish exactly what the message means.””
She swallowed.
“I knew he wanted me gone. I just thought it was because of Vanessa.””
“It's need to establish exactly what the message means.””
She swallowed.
“I knew he wanted me gone. I just thought it was because of Vanessa.””
“It's possible he had more than one reason.””
Chloe looked toward the window.
“He could have asked me about the folder. He possible he had more than one reason.””
Chloe looked toward the window.
“He could have asked me about the folder. He could have told me he was worried. He could have explained whatever he thought was happening.””
“Yes could have told me he was worried. He could have explained whatever he thought was happening.””
“Yes.””
“Instead, he hurt me.””
I took her hand.
“Yes.””
She closed her eyes.
“I don't want to.””
“Instead, he hurt me.””
I took her hand.
“Yes.””
She closed her eyes.
“I don't want to spend the rest of my life wondering which parts of our marriage were real.””
“You don't have to answer that question today.””
She turned toward me.
“What if I never get an answer?””
“ spend the rest of my life wondering which parts of our marriage were real.””
“You don't have to answer that question today.””
She turned toward me.
“What if I never get an answer?””
“Then we'll build a life that doesn't depend on him giving you one.””
Then we'll build a life that doesn't depend on him giving you one.””
For several minutes, she held my hand without speaking.
At 5:12 p.m., Daniel returned with a message from Rebecca.
The court had accepted Chloe's protective-order application for review, and a hearing was being scheduled. TemporaryFor several minutes, she held my hand without speaking.
At 5:12 p.m., Daniel returned with a message from Rebecca.
The court had accepted Chloe's protective-order application for review, and a hearing was being scheduled. Temporary restrictions had not yet been granted, but the attorney was pursuing the available emergency procedures.
It wasn't a final victory restrictions had not yet been granted, but the attorney was pursuing the available emergency procedures.
It wasn't a final victory.
It was a step toward.
It was a step toward safety.
At 5:37 safety.
At 5:37 p.m., Collins called again.
This time, his voice was more urgent.
“We've recovered another message from the same conversation. It appears to have been sent by Vanessa to Marcus.””
“What does it say?””
“‘You promised p.m., Collins called again.
This time, his voice was more urgent.
“We've recovered another message from the same conversation. It appears to have been sent by Vanessa to Marcus.””
“What does it say?””
“‘You promised she wouldn't know about Foster.’”
I gripped the phone.
“And Marcus's reply?””
Collins paused.
“‘She won't. Not if the folder stays buried.’”
For several seconds, I she wouldn't know about Foster.’”
I gripped the phone.
“And Marcus's reply?””
Collins paused.
“‘She won't. Not if the folder stays buried.’”
For several seconds, I couldn't speak.
Then I looked through the window at Chloe.
She was sitting quietly in bed, watching the evening news with the sound turned low.
Marcus had spent three years making her believe their marriage was built on love and shared values.
Now investigators were examining messages suggesting that her removal from the house might have been connected couldn't speak.
Then I looked through the window at Chloe.
She was sitting quietly in bed, watching the evening news with the sound turned low.
Marcus had spent three years making her believe their marriage was built on love and shared values.
Now investigators were examining messages suggesting that her removal from the house might have been connected to an old missing-person case and to an old missing-person case and the engineering records she had kept.
The messages still needed to be authenticated. Their meaning still needed to be established. They did not prove that Marcus had harmed Daniel Foster.
But they gave investigators a reason to ask questions that could no longer be dismissed as the engineering records she had kept.
The messages still needed to be authenticated. Their meaning still needed to be established. They did not prove that Marcus had harmed Daniel Foster.
But they gave investigators a reason to ask questions that could no longer be dismissed as coincidence.
I thanked Collins and ended the call.
Then I returned to Chloe's bedside.
“Sweetheart, the police have recovered messages that may be relevant to the old investigation.””
She looked at me.
“About Daniel Foster?””
“Yes.””
Her fingers tightened around the blanket.
“What did Marcus say?””
I chose my words carefully.
“The recovered conversation suggests that he and Vanessa discussed keeping you from learning something about Foster. The investigators are verifying the messages and their context.””
Chloe stared at me.
“He knew.””
“We don't know exactly what he knew. But we're going to find out.””
She looked toward the darkening window.
“I married a man who might have been hiding a secret about a missing person.””
I sat beside her.
“You married the man he showed you. You are not responsible for the parts of himself he chose to conceal.””
She began to cry quietly.
I held her hand until her breathing steadied.
Outside, the hospital parking lot glowed beneath the streetlights.
Somewhere across town, Marcus was facing questions from his employer and investigators. His promotion was on hold. His messages were being examined. His wife had refused to see him.
And the people he had tried to frighten into silence were no longer alone coincidence.
I thanked Collins and ended the call.
Then I returned to Chloe's bedside.
“Sweetheart, the police have recovered messages that may be relevant to the old investigation.””
She looked at me.
“About Daniel Foster?””
“Yes.””
Her fingers tightened around the blanket.
“What did Marcus say?””
I chose my words carefully.
“The recovered conversation suggests that he and Vanessa discussed keeping you from learning something about Foster. The investigators are verifying the messages and their context.””
Chloe stared at me.
“He knew.””
“We don't know exactly what he knew. But we're going to find out.””
She looked toward the darkening window.
“I married a man who might have been hiding a secret about a missing person.””
I sat beside her.
“You married the man he showed you. You are not responsible for the parts of himself he chose to conceal.””
She began to cry quietly.
I held her hand until her breathing steadied.
Outside, the hospital parking lot glowed beneath the streetlights.
Somewhere across town, Marcus was facing questions from his employer and investigators. His promotion was on hold. His messages were being examined. His wife had refused to see him.
And the people he had tried to frighten into silence were no longer alone.
At 6:08 p.m., Collins sent one final update.
*Detective Collins:* We have identified a location associated with Daniel Foster's last confirmed work assignment. Investigators are arranging to examine archived records from that site. No conclusion has been reached regarding his disappearance.
I read the message twice.
Then I put my phone down.
Chloe rested her head against the pillow.
.
At 6:08 p.m., Collins sent one final update.
*Detective Collins:* We have identified a location associated with Daniel Foster's last confirmed work assignment. Investigators are arranging to examine archived records from that site. No conclusion has been reached regarding his disappearance.
I read the message twice.
Then I put my phone down.
Chloe rested her head against the pillow.
“Mom?””
“Yes?””
“Do you think they'll find out what happened to him?””
I looked at my daughter, bruised but alive, exhausted“Mom?””
“Yes?””
“Do you think they'll find out what happened to him?””
I looked at my daughter, bruised but alive, exhausted but no longer apologizing for what someone else had done.
“I think the right people are finally asking but no longer apologizing for what someone else had done.
“I think the right people are finally asking the right questions.””
She nodded and closed her eyes.
For the first time, I allowed myself to imagine a future in which Marcus's secrets no longer controlled our lives.
But the investigation was not finished.
And the the right questions.””
She nodded and closed her eyes.
For the first time, I allowed myself to imagine a future in which Marcus's secrets no longer controlled our lives.
But the investigation was not finished.
May you like
And the next discovery would determine whether the man who had destroyed my daughter's Thanksgiving had merely hidden evidence—or had helped conceal the fate of someone who never made it home.
next discovery would determine whether the man who had destroyed my daughter's Thanksgiving had merely hidden evidence—or had helped conceal the fate of someone who never made it home.
