Sophie leaned closer.
“What happened to Emily?”
Margaret covered her mouth.
For the first time since Sophie had known her, tears spilled down her face.
“He told everyone she died.”
Sophie’s blood went cold.
“What?”
Margaret looked directly at her.
“But she didn’t.”
PART 2
Sophie did not speak.
The rain grew louder against the glass.
Margaret wiped her face.
“Richard told everyone Emily died in an accident.”
“He told the police she fell into the river.”
“He told our family there was no body because the current carried her away.”
Sophie stared at her.
“How old was she?”
“Seven.”
Margaret’s voice cracked.
“What really happened?”
Margaret shook her head.
“I don’t know everything.”
“But I know she was alive when he took her.”
Sophie’s chest tightened.
“Where did he take her?”
Margaret closed her eyes.
“That is the secret I have been carrying.”
She looked toward the bathroom.
