My father closed his eyes.
My sister continued.
“But I know this.”
“If I die, it wasn’t because I fell.”
Jason whispered,
“Turn it off.”
Nobody moved.
Lily’s voice became softer.
“Emily, I need you to protect Noah.”
I started crying.
“He deserves to know that his mother loved him before she ever held him.”
The video ended.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Then Rachel turned toward Jason.
“You told me she fell.”
Jason said nothing.
“You told me you found her.”
Still nothing.
“You told me you tried to save her.”
Jason’s eyes remained fixed on the floor.
Rachel stepped backward.
“You lied to me too.”
Mr.
Hayes closed the tablet.
“Lily also left instructions regarding the investigation.”
Jason’s head snapped up.
“What investigation?”
Mr.
Hayes looked toward the church doors.
Two men in dark suits were standing there.
Behind them was a sheriff’s deputy.
My heart pounded.
The deputy walked forward.
