Chapter 2 - Lily’s Last Words
No one moved.
Daniel Hayes held Lily’s letter in both hands while Jason stared at him like he had just seen a ghost.
I couldn’t breathe.
Daniel continued.
“My name is Lily Reed. If these words are being read, then I am no longer able to speak for myself.”
My mother covered her mouth.
“If my death was caused by illness, childbirth, or an accident witnessed and clearly documented, then some of what follows may not matter.”
Daniel paused.
“But if I died inside my home while alone with my husband…”
Jason shot to his feet.
“That’s enough.”
Daniel didn’t even look at him.
“…I ask my family not to accept the first explanation they are given.”
A wave of whispers rolled through the church.
Jason stormed toward Daniel.
“You’re done.”
Two men stood from the aisle.
One was my cousin Ben.
The other was Sheriff Tom Barlow, who had attended because he had known our family for twenty years.
Tom stepped between Jason and the attorney.
“Sit down.”
Jason stared at him.
“This is private.”
“Then stop making it public.”
Rachel whispered, “Jason…”
He ignored her.
Daniel resumed.
“I learned about Jason’s relationship with Rachel Monroe in May.”
Rachel stared at the floor.
“I confronted him once. He denied it. I confronted him again with proof. He told me I was emotional because of the pregnancy.”
My hands curled into fists.
That sounded exactly like Jason.
Always calm.
Always reasonable.
Always making Lily feel insane.
The letter continued.
“I considered leaving immediately. Then I discovered the affair was not the only secret.”
Jason went still.
Daniel looked up.
Even I could see something change behind his eyes.
He knew what was coming.
“I found withdrawals from an investment account inherited from our grandmother. I found business documents carrying a signature that looked like mine but was not mine.”
Dad leaned forward.
“What?”
Jason spun toward us.
“This is ridiculous.”
Daniel raised his voice just enough.
“I also discovered a life insurance policy recently increased to two million dollars.”
The church erupted.
Rachel stood.
“Jason, you said—”
“Shut up.”
Her face changed.
He had said it too quickly.
Too harshly.
Everyone heard.
Daniel folded one page back.
“My attorney has copies of everything.”
Jason pointed at him.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Daniel finally met his eyes.
“I know exactly what I’m talking about.”
Then he looked toward the back of the church.
Two people entered.
A woman carrying a black laptop bag.
And Detective Maria Alvarez from the county sheriff’s office.
Jason’s mouth opened.
I looked at Sheriff Barlow.
“You said it was an accident.”
He lowered his voice.
“The preliminary finding was accidental.”
“Was?”
His eyes stayed on Jason.
“We received new evidence this morning.”
My skin went cold.
Daniel returned to the letter.
“There is something else.”
I looked at Lily’s casket.
What else could there possibly be?
Daniel read.
“Emily, if you are there, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you everything.”
My throat closed.
“I knew you would try to protect me.”
I whispered, “Damn right I would have.”
Mom took my hand.
“And I was afraid that protecting me would put you in danger too.”
Tears blurred the page in Daniel’s hands.
Then came the sentence that changed everything.
“I placed a camera in the upstairs hallway three weeks before my death.”
Jason bolted toward the church doors.
Detective Alvarez stepped into his path.
“Mr. Reed.”
“I’m leaving.”
“No, you’re not.”
“I’m not under arrest.”
“Not yet.”
The entire room watched them.
Rachel backed away from him.
Daniel looked down at the last paragraph.
“The camera uploads automatically to a private server. Jason does not know the password.”
He paused.
Then looked straight at me.
“But Emily does.”
My heart stopped.
I had no idea what Lily meant.
Then Daniel read the final four words.
May you like
“Remember Noah’s first name.”
And suddenly I did.
