CHAPTER 2 — THE LETTER HE NEVER WANTED HER TO READ
Emily instinctively folded the letter shut.
"What are you talking about?"
The old woman's hands wouldn't stop shaking.
"The owner..."
"He can't know you have it."
Just then...
The kitchen door swung open.
A tall man in his sixties stepped into the dining room carrying an apron over one shoulder.
Harold Bennett.
Owner of the diner.
Emily had worked for him for almost three years.
He smiled the same warm smile he wore every morning.
"Everything okay over here?"
The old woman immediately lowered her head.
Wouldn't look at him.
Wouldn't speak.
Emily noticed.
For the first time...
She looked afraid.
Harold frowned.
"Martha?"
"It's been years."
The old woman whispered,
"I know."
His eyes drifted toward the folded paper in Emily's hand.
"What's that?"
Emily quickly slipped it into her apron pocket.
"Nothing."
Harold's smile faded.
"I asked you a question."
Before Emily could answer...
Martha suddenly stood.
With surprising strength, she stepped between them.
"Leave the girl alone."
The entire diner fell silent.
Harold stared at her.
"You've got some nerve."
Martha didn't move.
"I stayed quiet for twenty years."
"I'm done."
Harold's jaw tightened.
"You don't know what you're saying."
"I know exactly what I'm saying."
She looked at Emily.
"Read the letter."
"Now."
Harold lunged toward Emily's apron.
She stepped back.
"What are you doing?"
"Give it to me."
His calm mask disappeared.
"I said..."
"Give me the letter."
Every customer stopped eating.
One man quietly pulled out his phone.
Emily unfolded the yellow paper.
The first sentence stole the air from her lungs.
Emily, if you're reading this, I couldn't come back for you.
Tears filled her eyes.
It was her mother's handwriting.
Harold whispered,
"No..."
Emily kept reading.
The man who owns this diner promised he'd protect you...
Instead, he sold our location to the people who wanted to take you away.
The room exploded with gasps.
Harold shouted,
"That's a lie!"
Martha looked him straight in the eyes.
"No."
"I watched you take the money."
Harold's face turned ghost white.
Before anyone could speak again...
The bell above the diner's front door rang.
A man in a dark suit walked inside.
He held up a leather badge.
"Mr. Harold Bennett?"
"We need to ask you about a missing child case..."
May you like
"...from twenty years ago."
END OF CHAPTER 2.
