The connection emerged.
“My father asked you to hide it?”
“Not immediately.”
Daniel looked uncomfortable.
“He asked whether my mother still had anything Claire left behind.”
“What did you say?”
“I didn’t know what he meant.”
“And?”
“I asked Mom.”
Daniel swallowed.
“She became upset.”
“What did she tell you?”
“That there were things people were better off forgetting.”
I gave a bitter laugh.
“Apparently that was our town motto.”
Daniel nodded.
“Pretty much.”
He continued.
Evelyn eventually admitted Claire had left a packet of papers with her shortly before leaving town.
She’d told Evelyn to keep them safe.
Later, Claire called and told her to destroy them.
Evelyn didn’t.
“Why not?” Stephen asked.
“Mom said Claire sounded scared.”
“Scared of Harlow?”
Daniel shook his head.
“She never said.”
I turned back.
“And my father?”
“He asked me not to tell you.”
“Why?”
“He said Claire had chosen another life and had earned the right to have it.”
