Chapter 9 - THE LOCKED CHURCH
We called 911 before leaving the bank.
Thomas stopped us in the parking garage.
“You are not walking into a hostage situation.”
“My best friend is in there.”
“So are police.”
“My father has spent my whole life controlling what happens behind closed doors.”
Ethan said, “Sarah.”
I looked at him.
“I’m going.”
He nodded once.
“So am I.”
Thomas cursed.
My mother said, “Welcome to the family.”
Nobody laughed.
Police had surrounded the church.
Guests were coming out through a side door in small groups.
Rachel ran toward me.
Her mascara had streaked down her cheeks.
“He’s looking for your mom.”
“Did he hurt anyone?”
“No. He fired into the ceiling.”
My mother flinched.
An officer approached.
“Ms. Mitchell?”
“Yes.”
“Your father is asking for you.”
Thomas stepped forward.
“No.”
The officer looked at him.
“Who are you?”
“The man Richard Mitchell murdered in 1999.”
That required a longer conversation than we had time for.
Then the church doors opened.
My father stepped outside.
No gun visible.
His hands were raised.
“Sarah.”
Police shouted commands.
He ignored them.
“You have no idea what these people are doing.”
“Get on your knees!”
He slowly obeyed.
Then he saw Thomas.
Everything in his face collapsed.
“You.”
Thomas said nothing.
Dad began laughing.
“You should have stayed dead.”
Several officers exchanged looks.
Body cameras captured every word.
I stepped forward despite everyone telling me not to.
Dad looked at my wedding dress.
His eyes softened.
“My beautiful girl.”
“Did you kill Thomas?”
His smile faded.
“No.”
“Did you try?”
Silence.
“Did you hurt Mom?”
“Your mother fills your head with poison.”
Diane walked beside me.
Richard’s face changed.
“You ungrateful—”
Thomas moved before he finished.
Police stopped him.
Dad smiled.
There it was.
The man beneath my father.
Small.
Mean.
Terrified.
Then he looked at Ethan.
“You think she’ll still want you after she learns why you really proposed?”
I turned.
Ethan froze.
My father laughed.
“Oh.”
May you like
He looked delighted.
“He didn’t tell you that part?”
