Chapter 18 - THE MAN WHO SAW HER LAST Samuel Reed lived in a small coastal town two states away.
Michael found him three days later.
The man was older than the photograph suggested.
He opened the door only a few inches.
When Michael said Rachel's name, Samuel closed his eyes.
“I wondered when you'd come.”
Michael froze.
“You knew I'd find you?”
“Rachel believed you would.”
Inside the small house, Samuel showed Michael a box.
Inside were photographs.
Documents.
And a second recording.
“I drove the truck that night,” Samuel said.
“You saw Rachel.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you testify?”
Samuel looked toward the window.
“Because Rachel told me not to.”
Michael couldn't understand.
“Why?”
“Because she was alive when she left the crash.”
Michael's heart stopped.
“What?”
“Rachel survived.”
The room seemed to disappear.
Samuel continued.
“She was injured. She told me Vanessa had tried to kill her. She begged me to take her somewhere safe.”
“Where?”
“She said she needed to protect the children first.”
Michael could barely breathe.
“Then where did she go?”
Samuel handed him a letter.
Rachel's handwriting.
Michael, if you're reading this, I failed to come home.
Michael's hands shook.
But I need you to know one thing.
I did not leave because I stopped loving you.
I left because someone inside our family was willing to kill for control.
Michael looked up.
“She was alive.”
Samuel nodded.
“For a while.”
“For how long?”
“Six weeks.”
Michael closed his eyes.
Six weeks.
Rachel had been alive for six weeks after the crash.
Six weeks when he had been grieving.
Six weeks when he had believed she was dead.
Six weeks during which someone had hidden the truth.
Then Samuel gave him one final photograph.
Rachel standing beside a young woman.
The woman was holding a newborn baby.
Michael stared.
“Who is that?”
May you like
Samuel looked at him.
“That's the secret Rachel died trying to protect.”
