“She isn’t Emily anymore.”
Nathan’s face drained of color.
Margaret’s recorded voice asked where her daughter was.
Richard answered.
“Ask Nathan.”
The recording stopped.
No one moved.
Margaret stared at her son.
“So I’m asking.”
Nathan looked toward the door.
“Nathan.”
Margaret’s voice cracked.
“Where is your sister?”
He closed his eyes.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
Then he sat down.
The arrogance disappeared.
The irritation disappeared.
What remained looked like fear.
“I was twelve.”
Margaret frowned.
“You were nine when she disappeared.”
Nathan rubbed his face.
“I didn’t know the truth until I was twelve.”
Margaret went still.
“What truth?”
“Dad took me to Minnesota.”
Margaret’s eyes widened.
Nathan continued.
“He said we were visiting Aunt Carol.”
“I didn’t know why.”
“When we arrived, there was a girl in the backyard.”
Margaret gripped the arm of her chair.
“It was Emily.”
Nathan nodded.
Margaret made a sound Sophie would never forget.
