Chapter 4 - The Cabin
Police released me from the hospital six days later.
I could barely walk.
Caleb drove.
Maria followed in an unmarked car.
We went to the cabin before telling anyone.
The key opened a steel box hidden beneath a loose floorboard in Daniel's study.
Inside were three folders.
One marked SARAH.
One marked EVAN.
One marked ELAINE.
My hands shook.
The Sarah file contained every false accusation Daniel had received.
Caleb's reports disproving them.
Daniel's handwritten notes.
I DON'T BELIEVE THIS ANYMORE.
SOMEONE WANTS ME AFRAID OF MY WIFE.
The Evan file hurt more.
School reports.
Suspensions.
A therapy referral Daniel never told me about.
Notes describing escalating rage after Rebecca's death.
Then messages between Evan and an unknown number.
YOUR STEPMOTHER STOLE YOUR FUTURE.
YOUR DAD WAS GOING TO FIX IT.
THEN HE DIED.
SHE WINS IF YOU DO NOTHING.
Evan had been groomed.
For years.
The Elaine file was thinner.
Bank statements.
Property records.
A deed.
The cabin had not belonged solely to Rebecca.
Before her death, she had secretly transferred fifty percent to Elaine.
Why?
Miriam Grant, the attorney who prepared the deed, had written one note.
TEMPORARY NOMINEE ARRANGEMENT.
CLIENT FEARS HUSBAND'S BUSINESS CREDITORS.
Rebecca used Elaine to shield half the cabin from Daniel's creditors.
After Rebecca died, Elaine was supposed to transfer the share to Evan's trust.
She never did.
Instead, she told Evan I stole everything.
Caleb stared at the deed.
"That's motive."
Maria agreed.
Then I opened the last envelope.
Daniel had written it to Evan.
Son,
Sarah didn't steal the cabin.
Aunt Elaine has been lying to you.
If I fail to explain this before you read it, that failure is mine.
Do not punish Sarah for my silence.
The letter had never been sent.
I started crying.
Then tires crunched outside.
Maria reached for her weapon.
A vehicle stopped.
The front door opened.
Evan walked in.
Alone.
He saw the open box.
Then he whispered.
May you like
"You weren't supposed to find that yet."
