Chapter 9: My Father Finally Told the Truth
I drove to my father's house with Detective Morris's team following behind me.
Every traffic light seemed to last an eternity.
I called Dad three times.
No answer.
On the fourth attempt, the phone seemed to last an eternity.
I called Dad three times.
No answer.
On the fourth attempt, the phone rang until voicemail picked up.
I gripped the steering wheel.
"Come on, Dad.""
The words came rang until voicemail picked up.
I gripped the steering wheel.
"Come on, Dad.""
The words came out as a whisper.
I had spent the afternoon thinking about Richard Cole, Victor Hale, and Evelyn Shaw out as a whisper.
I had spent the afternoon thinking about Richard Cole, Victor Hale, and Evelyn Shaw. I had imagined a dozen possible explanations for Daniel's death.
None of them had prepared me for the possibility that my father had been carrying. I had imagined a dozen possible explanations for Daniel's death.
None of them had prepared me for the possibility that my father had been carrying a secret of his own.
When I turned onto his street, I saw a secret of his own.
When I turned onto his street, I saw the front door standing open.
My stomach dropped.
I parked crookedly against the curb and ran.
"D the front door standing open.
My stomach dropped.
I parked crookedly against the curb and ran.
"Dad!""
The living room was empty.
A chair lay overturned beside the coffee table. One of the curtains hadad!""
The living room was empty.
A chair lay overturned beside the coffee table. One of the curtains had been torn from its hook. A framed photograph of Daniel and me rested facedown on the floor, its glass shattered.
I stopped in the doorway.
For a moment, I was been torn from its hook. A framed photograph of Daniel and me rested facedown on the floor, its glass shattered.
I stopped in the doorway.
For a moment, I was thirteen years younger again, standing in a hospital corridor while a doctor explained that my brother was gone.
I could hear the same blood rushing in my ears thirteen years younger again, standing in a hospital corridor while a doctor explained that my brother was gone.
I could hear the same blood rushing in my ears.
The same terrible silence.
Then I heard a noise upstairs.
A footstep.
I moved toward the staircase.
"Dad?""
"Up.
The same terrible silence.
Then I heard a noise upstairs.
A footstep.
I moved toward the staircase.
"Dad?""
"Up here.""
His voice sounded weak.
I ran upstairs and found him sitting on the edge of his bed, holding a blood here.""
His voice sounded weak.
I ran upstairs and found him sitting on the edge of his bed, holding a bloodied handkerchief against his forehead.
My knees nearly gave way.
"Dad!""
I dropped beside him.
"What happened? Who didied handkerchief against his forehead.
My knees nearly gave way.
"Dad!""
I dropped beside him.
"What happened? Who did this?""
He tried to smile.
"I'm all right.""
"You're bleeding!""
"It's a scratch this?""
He tried to smile.
"I'm all right.""
"You're bleeding!""
"It's a scratch.""
I pressed a clean towel against the cut while Detective Morris entered the room behind me.
"Sir, I'm Detective Morris. We need to get you.""
I pressed a clean towel against the cut while Detective Morris entered the room behind me.
"Sir, I'm Detective Morris. We need to get you medical attention.""
My father shook his head.
"Not until I tell her.""
I looked at him.
"Tell me what?""
He closed his eyes medical attention.""
My father shook his head.
"Not until I tell her.""
I looked at him.
"Tell me what?""
He closed his eyes.
For several seconds, he seemed unable to speak.
Then he whispered, "I lied to you about the night Daniel died.""
I felt my.
For several seconds, he seemed unable to speak.
Then he whispered, "I lied to you about the night Daniel died.""
I felt my chest tighten.
"What do you mean?""
He looked at me.
"The man who came to the house after the accident wasn't a police investigator.""
I stared at him.
"Who was he?""
"Richard chest tighten.
"What do you mean?""
He looked at me.
"The man who came to the house after the accident wasn't a police investigator.""
I stared at him.
"Who was he?""
"Richard Cole.""
The name seemed to drain all the air from the room.
"You told me you didn't know who he was.""
"I was afraid.""
"You said Cole.""
The name seemed to drain all the air from the room.
"You told me you didn't know who he was.""
"I was afraid.""
"You said he was helping with the investigation.""
"He told me to say that.""
I stood abruptly.
For a moment, I couldn't look at him.
My father had been my anchor after he was helping with the investigation.""
"He told me to say that.""
I stood abruptly.
For a moment, I couldn't look at him.
My father had been my anchor after Daniel died. He'd held me when I couldn't breathe, brought me food when I forgot to eat, and sat beside me Daniel died. He'd held me when I couldn't breathe, brought me food when I forgot to eat, and sat beside me through the nights when sleep became impossible.
I had believed we had survived that tragedy together.
Now I wondered whether we'd been through the nights when sleep became impossible.
I had believed we had survived that tragedy together.
Now I wondered whether we'd been grieving the same truth.
"Why didn't you tell me?"" I asked.
He looked down at his hands.
"Because Richard said Daniel grieving the same truth.
"Why didn't you tell me?"" I asked.
He looked down at his hands.
"Because Richard said Daniel's death would be ruled an accident. He said the people involved's death would be ruled an accident. He said the people involved were dangerous, that if I spoke to anyone, they'd come after you.""
"And you believed him?""
"I believed he were dangerous, that if I spoke to anyone, they'd come after you.""
"And you believed him?""
"I believed he could hurt you.""
"So you let me spend thirteen years believing my brother died because he lost control of a car?""
My voice rose.
"You let could hurt you.""
"So you let me spend thirteen years believing my brother died because he lost control of a car?""
My voice rose.
"You let me blame myself for not answering his last call. You watched me walk away from my career. You watched me struggle to me blame myself for not answering his last call.
You watched me walk away from my career. You watched me struggle to raise Sarah while I carried the guilt of not being there for Daniel.""
My father covered his face.
"I know.""
"No raise Sarah while I carried the guilt of not being there for Daniel.""
My father covered his face.
"I know.""
"No, you don't!""
The words tore out of me.
I had never shouted at him like that.
Not even when I was a teenager.
, you don't!""
The words tore out of me.
I had never shouted at him like that.
Not even when I was a teenager.
I stepped away from the bed, shaking.
"Do you have any idea how many times I've replayed that night? HowI stepped away from the bed, shaking.
"Do you have any idea how many times I've replayed that night? How many times I've wondered whether I could have stopped him from leaving? Whether I should have called him back?
Whether he was trying many times I've wondered whether I could have stopped him from leaving? Whether I should have called him back? Whether he was trying to tell me something and I was too selfish to listen?""
My voice broke.
"And all this time, you knew someone to tell me something and I was too selfish to listen?""
My voice broke.
"And all this time, you knew someone had threatened us.""
My father began to cry.
Not quietly.
Not with the controlled sadness of a man trying to preserve his had threatened us.""
My father began to cry.
Not quietly.
Not with the controlled sadness of a man trying to preserve his dignity.
He cried like someone who had been holding his breath for thirteen years and had finally run out of air.
"I thought I was protecting you," he said.
dignity.
He cried like someone who had been holding his breath for thirteen years and had finally run out of air.
"I thought I was protecting you," he said.
I turned away.
"That's what everyone says.""
Detective Morris stepped between us gently.
"Lily, I understand you'reI turned away.
"That's what everyone says.""
Detective Morris stepped between us gently.
"Lily, I understand you're upset. But we need to know exactly what happened.""
My father nodded.
He wiped his face with his sleeve upset. But we need to know exactly what happened.""
My father nodded.
He wiped his face with his sleeve.
"Richard came here the morning after Daniel died. He said there had been an accident, but he didn't believe the.
"Richard came here the morning after Daniel died. He said there had been an accident, but he didn't believe the police would find anything unusual.""
"Why?""
"Because he said the car had been tampered with.""
I froze.
Detect police would find anything unusual.""
"Why?""
"Because he said the car had been tampered with.""
I froze.
Detective Morris immediately leaned forward.
"Did he say how?""
My father swallowed.
"He said someone had interfered with the braking system before Danielive Morris immediately leaned forward.
"Did he say how?""
My father swallowed.
"He said someone had interfered with the braking system before Daniel left the arena.""
The room became silent.
I felt my fingers go cold.
left the arena.""
The room became silent.
I felt my fingers go cold.
Daniel's car had crashed on a rural road several miles outside the city.
The official report stated that wet conditions and excessive speed had contributed to the accident.
There had been no confirmedDaniel's car had crashed on a rural road several miles outside the city.
The official report stated that wet conditions and excessive speed had contributed to the accident.
There had been no confirmed mechanical failure.
"Did you tell the police?"" Detective Morris asked.
My father shook his head.
"Richard said he had people mechanical failure.
"Did you tell the police?"" Detective Morris asked.
My father shook his head.
"Richard said he had people who could make sure the investigation went nowhere. He told me that if I tried to challenge the report, I'd be putting Lily in danger.""
I stared at him.
"Why didn't you tell me after he who could make sure the investigation went nowhere. He told me that if I tried to challenge the report, I'd be putting Lily in danger.""
I stared at him.
"Why didn't you tell me after he left?""
"Because he came back.""
I turned sharply.
"What?""
"Three days later. He brought photographs.""
left?""
"Because he came back.""
I turned sharply.
"What?""
"Three days later. He brought photographs.""
My father reached toward the bedside table and opened the drawer.
From inside, he removed a small envelope.
His hands trembled as he passed it to Detective MorrisMy father reached toward the bedside table and opened the drawer.
From inside, he removed a small envelope.
His hands trembled as he passed it to Detective Morris.
She opened it carefully.
Inside were three photographs.
The first showed Daniel standing beside his car outside the arena.
The second showed a man near the driver's side door.
The third showed Richard Cole speaking to someone whose.
She opened it carefully.
Inside were three photographs.
The first showed Daniel standing beside his car outside the arena.
The second showed a man near the driver's side door.
The third showed Richard Cole speaking to someone whose face was partially obscured.
I stared at the second photograph.
The man beside Daniel's car wore a dark jacket.
On the sleeve was the black wolf's head.
Victor's face was partially obscured.
I stared at the second photograph.
The man beside Daniel's car wore a dark jacket.
On the sleeve was the black wolf's head.
Victor's symbol.
But this time, the man's face was visible.
It wasn't Victor Hale.
It was Jake Reynolds symbol.
But this time, the man's face was visible.
It wasn't Victor Hale.
It was Jake Reynolds.
I felt my stomach turn.
"No.""
Detective Morris examined the photograph.
"Are you certain this is your.
I felt my stomach turn.
"No.""
Detective Morris examined the photograph.
"Are you certain this is your daughter’s instructor?""
"Yes," I said.
"It's Jake.""
My father lowered his head.
" daughter’s instructor?""
"Yes," I said.
"It's Jake.""
My father lowered his head.
"Richard told me the man had been working with Victor. He said Jake was young, that he'd been paid to help withRichard told me the man had been working with Victor. He said Jake was young, that he'd been paid to help with the event, and that he hadn't known what was going to happen.""
I couldn't breathe.
Jake.
The arrogant instructor who the event, and that he hadn't known what was going to happen.""
I couldn't breathe.
Jake.
The arrogant instructor who had tried to humiliate me in front of Sarah.
The man who had threatened students, mocked my appearance, and used Daniel's hospital photograph as a weapon.
He had been at the arena the had tried to humiliate me in front of Sarah.
The man who had threatened students, mocked my appearance, and used Daniel's hospital photograph as a weapon.
He had been at the arena the night my brother died.
"Did Jake tamper with the car?"" I asked.
My father shook his head.
"I don't know.""
"Did night my brother died.
"Did Jake tamper with the car?"" I asked.
My father shook his head.
"I don't know.""
"Did Richard say he did?""
"He said Jake had been there. He said that was all I needed to know.""
Detective Morris photographed the envelope and carefully returned the pictures to their sleeve.
Richard say he did?""
"He said Jake had been there. He said that was all I needed to know.""
Detective Morris photographed the envelope and carefully returned the pictures to their sleeve.
"These will be important. We'll need to establish when they were taken and how they came into your possession.""
My father nodded"These will be important. We'll need to establish when they were taken and how they came into your possession.""
My father nodded.
Then he looked at me.
"There's something else.""
I felt my heart sink.
"Of course there is.
Then he looked at me.
"There's something else.""
I felt my heart sink.
"Of course there is.""
He flinched at the bitterness in my voice.
"I didn't tell you because I thought the truth would destroy you.""
"It already destroyed me.""
He closed.""
He flinched at the bitterness in my voice.
"I didn't tell you because I thought the truth would destroy you.""
"It already destroyed me.""
He closed his eyes.
"I know.""
For a long moment, neither of us spoke.
Then he reached beneath the mattress and pulled out a small metal box.
I'd seen it before.
Daniel his eyes.
"I know.""
For a long moment, neither of us spoke.
Then he reached beneath the mattress and pulled out a small metal box.
I'd seen it before.
Daniel had used it to store camera batteries, memory cards, and little pieces of equipment he couldn't bear to throw away.
I had had used it to store camera batteries, memory cards, and little pieces of equipment he couldn't bear to throw away.
I had assumed Dad kept it as a reminder of his son.
He placed it in my hands.
"I found this among Daniel's belongings after Richard assumed Dad kept it as a reminder of his son.
He placed it in my hands.
"I found this among Daniel's belongings after Richard left. I never told anyone.""
I opened left. I never told anyone.""
I opened the lid.
Inside was a folded sheet of paper and a small key attached to a red plastic tag.
The handwriting on the paper was Daniel's.
I recognized it instantly.
*L the lid.
Inside was a folded sheet of paper and a small key attached to a red plastic tag.
The handwriting on the paper was Daniel's.
I recognized it instantly.
Lily, if you're reading this, something went wrong.
My vision blurred.
I unfolded the page.
I found the records. Richard knows I haveily, if you're reading this, something went wrong.
My vision blurred.
I unfolded the page.
I found the records. Richard knows I have them. I don't know who I can trust anymore, but I know you won't stop looking once you them. I don't know who I can trust anymore, but I know you won't stop looking once you understand what happened.
I pressed the paper against my chest.
The next lines were harder to read.
The evidence isn't in the camera. It's where Dad keeps the understand what happened.
I pressed the paper against my chest.
The next lines were harder to read.
The evidence isn't in the camera. It's where Dad keeps the things he never wants to lose.
I looked up.
"The attic.""
My father nodded.
things he never wants to lose.*
I looked up.
"The attic.""
My father nodded.
"I thought he meant the photographs. I searched the boxes, but I never found anything else.""
I stared at the red tag on the key.
A number had been written on it.
**"I thought he meant the photographs. I searched the boxes, but I never found anything else.""
I stared at the red tag on the key.
A number had been written on it.
*214.*
Detective Morris looked at it.
"Do you know what that opens?""
I shook my head.
But I remembered Daniel's habits.
He had rented a small storage unit214.**
Detective Morris looked at it.
"Do you know what that opens?""
I shook my head.
But I remembered Daniel's habits.
He had rented a small storage unit during the final year of his life. He'd claimed it was cheaper than renting an office for during the final year of his life. He'd claimed it was cheaper than renting an office for his photography equipment.
I'd forgotten about it after the funeral.
Dad hadn't.
He whispered, "He used to keep some his photography equipment.
I'd forgotten about it after the funeral.
Dad hadn't.
He whispered, "He used to keep some of his camera equipment in a storage facility near the old train station.""
My heart began to race.
"Do you remember the name?""
"Westbridge Storage.""
Detective Morris immediately of his camera equipment in a storage facility near the old train station.""
My heart began to race.
"Do you remember the name?""
"Westbridge Storage.""
Detective Morris immediately called her team.
She explained the discovery, requested that the facility be contacted, called her team.
She explained the discovery, requested that the facility be contacted, and arranged for officers to accompany us.
While she spoke, I sat beside my father.
He reached for and arranged for officers to accompany us.
While she spoke, I sat beside my father.
He reached for my hand.
I let him take it.
"I'm sorry, Lily.""
I looked at him.
For years, I'd believed forgiveness meant finding a way to stop hurting my hand.
I let him take it.
"I'm sorry, Lily.""
I looked at him.
For years, I'd believed forgiveness meant finding a way to stop hurting.
Now I understood that sometimes forgiveness meant accepting that someone you loved had failed you, without pretending the failure hadn't mattered.
Now I understood that sometimes forgiveness meant accepting that someone you loved had failed you, without pretending the failure hadn't mattered.
"I love you, Dad," I whispered.
"But I don't know how to forgive this yet.""
He nodded, tears running down his face.
"I understand.""
I squeezed.
"I love you, Dad," I whispered.
"But I don't know how to forgive this yet.""
He nodded, tears running down his face.
"I understand.""
I squeezed his hand once.
"Tell the detective everything. Every conversation. Every visit. Every detail you remember.""
"I will his hand once.
"Tell the detective everything. Every conversation. Every visit. Every detail you remember.""
"I will.""
"And no more secrets.""
He looked at me.
"No more secrets.""
Westbridge Storage occupied a brick.""
"And no more secrets.""
He looked at me.
"No more secrets.""
Westbridge Storage occupied a brick building behind the old train station.
The facility manager met us at the entrance with a set of keys and a building behind the old train station.
The facility manager met us at the entrance with a set of keys and a nervous expression. Detective Morris explained the situation, and after confirming the storage unit records, he led us down a narrow corridor.
Unit 214 stood nervous expression. Detective Morris explained the situation, and after confirming the storage unit records, he led us down a narrow corridor.
Unit 214 stood near the back.
The lock was old, but the key fit.
The door rolled upward near the back.
The lock was old, but the key fit.
The door rolled upward with a metallic rattle.
Inside were cardboard boxes, two camera cases, a folding chair, and a small with a metallic rattle.
Inside were cardboard boxes, two camera cases, a folding chair, and a small wooden desk.
Dust covered everything.
But the room had been arranged carefully.
A shelf held labeled envelopes of photographs.
Another wooden desk.
Dust covered everything.
But the room had been arranged carefully.
A shelf held labeled envelopes of photographs.
Another contained notebooks.
At the back of the unit sat a black metal case.
I walked toward it.
My hands were shaking.
The red tag key opened the lock.
Inside contained notebooks.
At the back of the unit sat a black metal case.
I walked toward it.
My hands were shaking.
The red tag key opened the lock.
Inside were several compact discs, a stack of printed financial records, and a small digital recorder.
There was also a sealed envelope with my name written across the front.
I picked it up.
** were several compact discs, a stack of printed financial records, and a small digital recorder.
There was also a sealed envelope with my name written across the front.
I picked it up.
*For Lily. Only Lily.*
My throat tightened.
Detective Morris stood a few feet away, allowing me a moment.
I opened the envelope.
A single pageFor Lily. Only Lily.**
My throat tightened.
Detective Morris stood a few feet away, allowing me a moment.
I opened the envelope.
A single page lay inside.
Lil,
*If you've found this, then I was right to lay inside.
Lil,
If you've found this, then I was right to be afraid.
I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I thought I could fix this before it reached you.
Richard isn't the only person be afraid.
I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I thought I could fix this before it reached you.
Richard isn't the only person involved. The person who ordered the accident isn't the person who carried it out.
I stopped reading.
My pulse hammered.
I involved. The person who ordered the accident isn't the person who carried it out.*
I stopped reading.
My pulse hammered.
I forced myself to continue.
*I know who paid for it. I know who drove the car. But there's one person I still can't forced myself to continue.
I know who paid for it. I know who drove the car. But there's one person I still can't explain.
Someone who knew our family. Someone who had access to information nobody else should have had.
If you want explain.
Someone who knew our family. Someone who had access to information nobody else should have had.
If you want the truth, listen to the last recording.
I looked at the digital recorder.
A small label had been taped to its side.
*FINAL CALL — 11:48 P.M.*
the truth, listen to the last recording.*
I looked at the digital recorder.
A small label had been taped to its side.
*FINAL CALL — 11:48 P.M.*
Detective Morris moved closer.
"We'll preserve the device and have the recording examined.""
I nodded.
But I couldn't look away from the envelope.
Daniel had known heDetective Morris moved closer.
"We'll preserve the device and have the recording examined.""
I nodded.
But I couldn't look away from the envelope.
Daniel had known he was in danger.
He had known someone close to our family might be involved.
And he had left me the one thing that could finally reveal the truth.
I turned the page over.
At the bottom, he'd was in danger.
He had known someone close to our family might be involved.
And he had left me the one thing that could finally reveal the truth.
I turned the page over.
At the bottom, he'd written one final sentence.
*Lily, if Dad tells you he never knew who was in the car, ask him written one final sentence.
Lily, if Dad tells you he never knew who was in the car, ask him why he kept the key.
I slowly raised my head.
My father stood in the corridor behind us, pale and silent.
Detective Morris turned toward him.
"Mr. Carter?""
why he kept the key.*
I slowly raised my head.
My father stood in the corridor behind us, pale and silent.
Detective Morris turned toward him.
"Mr. Carter?""
He stared at the open metal case.
Then he looked at the key in myHe stared at the open metal case.
Then he looked at the key in my hand.
And I saw something in his face that frightened me more than any threat Richard Cole had ever made.
Recognition.
My father took one unsteady step backward.
"Oh hand.
And I saw something in his face that frightened me more than any threat Richard Cole had ever made.
Recognition.
My father took one unsteady step backward.
"Oh, God," he whispered.
I stood.
"Dad, what is it?""
He looked at me, his eyes filled with a terrible,, God," he whispered.
I stood.
"Dad, what is it?""
He looked at me, his eyes filled with a terrible, exhausted sorrow.
Then he said the words that shattered the last thing I had believed about my family.
"I know who exhausted sorrow.
Then he said the words that shattered the last thing I had believed about my family.
"I know who was driving that car.""
He swallowed.
"And Lily, it wasn't Richard Cole.""
was driving that car.""
May you like
He swallowed.
"And Lily, it wasn't Richard Cole.""
