Chapter 2: The Call He Should Never Have Made
My hand tightened around the phone.
Detective Collins gave me a small nod.
"No," I said carefully.
"They haven't found it."
Silence on the line.
Then Michael exhaled — slow and controlled, like a man who had just been handed good news.
"That's a relief," he said.
"One less thing to worry about."
One less thing to worry about.
His niece had nearly d*ed four hours ago.
And that was his response.
Detective Collins was already writing something on her notepad.
She turned it toward me.
*Ask him where he is.*
"Where are you right now?" I asked.
"Home," Michael said.
"I've been here all afternoon."
I looked at Detective Collins.
She shook her head slowly.
Michael had not been home.
A hospital security camera had captured him in the parking garage forty minutes after Lily was brought in by ambulance.
He had walked directly to Evelyn's car.
He had opened it with a key.
His own key.
"Michael," I said.
"Lily wants to say something to you."
Another pause.
Longer this time.
"Put her on."
I held the phone toward the bed.
Lily looked at me.
I nodded.
She spoke in a small, steady voice.
"Uncle Michael.
I heard what you said to Grandma Evelyn.
At the luncheon.
Before I got sick."
May you like
The line went completely quiet.
Then the call ended.
