Rebecca placed a copy on the table.
“It declared Emily deceased.”
Margaret stared.
“Of course.”
Rebecca continued.
“Then, twenty years later, another document appeared.”
She slid forward a second page.
“This one is stranger.”
Sophie read it.
A private agreement.
It referred to an unnamed female beneficiary.
Payments were to be made through Carol Mason.
Margaret’s face went white.
“Payments.”
“Yes.”
Rebecca nodded.
“Richard was supporting someone.”
“Claire.”
Sophie whispered.
Rebecca looked at her.
“That would be my guess.”
Margaret covered her face.
“He knew.”
“All those years.”
“He knew where she was.”
Rebecca’s expression softened.
“I think so.”
Margaret’s grief turned into anger.
“He watched me mourn her.”
“He watched me put flowers beside an empty memorial.”
“He watched me blame myself.”
She slammed her palm onto the table.
“And he knew.”
Sophie took her hand.
Margaret pulled away.
Not from Sophie.
From the world.
“I want Nathan here.”
