Chapter 10 - Madeline’s Side of the StoryMadeline surrendered the next morning.
Not because police found her.
Because Daniel received a call.
“I want to see Emma.”
“No.”
“Daniel.”
“No.”
“I can help.”
“You buried her.”
“I hid her.”
“You drugged her.”
“To keep her alive.”
Daniel nearly shouted.
“You don’t get to say that.”
Madeline’s voice broke.
“Evelyn was coming.”
“Then call police.”
“You don't understand what she owns.”
“Try me.”
Madeline surrendered at a suburban police station.
Daniel watched through glass as detectives questioned her.
For once, she did not look elegant.
No umbrella.
No perfect hair.
No performance.
She looked exhausted.
Her story came slowly.
Samuel Reed’s clinics.
Evelyn’s involvement.
Rachel’s escape.
Rebecca’s discovery.
Madeline’s attempt to help.
Then Rebecca’s death.
“I promised Rebecca I would protect Emma,” she said.
Daniel felt sick.
“You promised my wife and then lied to me for five years.”
“If I told you, Evelyn would know.”
“How?”
“Because your phones were compromised.”
Daniel stared.
“By who?”
“Crane. Maybe others.”
“Why marry me?”
Madeline looked at him.
“That wasn't planned.”
Daniel laughed bitterly.
“You expect me to believe that?”
“I watched you after Rebecca died.”
“Watched?”
“To make sure Emma was safe.”
“That is stalking.”
“Yes.”
Daniel appreciated the honesty more than he wanted to.
“Then?”
“You were falling apart.”
“So you inserted yourself into my life.”
“I helped.”
“You lied.”
“I loved you.”
Daniel stared.
Maybe she did.
That made it worse.
“Why fake Emma’s death?”
Madeline closed her eyes.
“Evelyn contacted me three weeks ago.”
“What did she say?”
“She knew Emma remembered the man with the scar.”
“Adrian.”
“No.”
Madeline looked at him.
“Crane had a scar then. He had surgery later.”
Daniel froze.
Emma remembered a scarred man near Rebecca before her death.
Everyone assumed Adrian.
Maybe wrongly.
“Evelyn wanted Emma.”
“Why?”
“Rebecca hid something with her.”
Daniel frowned.
“Emma was three.”
“Exactly.”
“What could she hide?”
Madeline leaned forward.
“A code.”
Daniel stared.
“Rebecca taught Emma a song before she died.”
“What song?”
“A nursery rhyme.”
Daniel remembered.
Emma hummed strange numbers sometimes as a child.
He thought she was making them up.
Madeline continued.
“The numbers were coordinates to where Rebecca hid a backup copy of the ledger.”
Daniel’s skin prickled.
“Emma remembers?”
“Maybe.”
“Evelyn thinks she does.”
“So you hid Emma in the basement.”
“Yes.”
“And the funeral?”
“I needed Evelyn to believe Emma died.”
“You locked the coffin.”
“To stop anyone from opening it before transport.”
“Transport where?”
“A safe house.”
Daniel stared.
“Inside a coffin?”
“She was supposed to be moved before burial.”
“Then why was she still there?”
“Crane betrayed me.”
Daniel leaned closer.
“What happened?”
“He increased the sedative dose.”
“Why?”
“I don't know.”
“You put him in charge.”
“I thought I controlled him.”
Daniel laughed coldly.
“That seems to be the Reed family disease.”
Madeline flinched.
“Daniel.”
“You terrorized Emma.”
“I know.”
That stopped him.
She wasn't defending it.
“She cried for me.”
Madeline lowered her eyes.
“I know.”
“You made her think she was dead.”
“I told her it was pretend.”
“She was eight!”
Madeline began crying.
“I was desperate.”
Daniel stared at her.
“Desperation explains it. It does not excuse it.”
Madeline nodded.
“I know.”
That answer hurt more than denial.
He wanted her monstrous.
Simple.
Instead she was guilty and afraid and perhaps genuinely in love with his daughter.
People could be several things at once.
That was harder.
Ross entered.
“We need the ledger.”
Madeline shook her head.
“I don't have it.”
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
“Rachel’s letter says you stole it.”
“I did.”
“Where is it?”
“I gave it to Rebecca.”
Silence.
Daniel felt cold.
“Rebecca hid it.”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“I never knew.”
“The song.”
Madeline nodded.
“Emma may be the only person alive who remembers.”
Daniel stood.
“No.”
Madeline looked up.
“No one uses my daughter again.”
“If Evelyn finds her—”
“She won’t.”
“You cannot protect Emma from something you don't understand.”
Daniel stared.
“You already proved you can’t either.”
He walked out.
That afternoon Emma woke stronger.
Daniel sat beside her.
“Do you remember a song Mommy taught you?”
Emma smiled faintly.
“Which one?”
“The number song.”
Her expression changed.
Daniel’s pulse rose.
“You remember it?”
Emma nodded.
Then she whispered:
“Mommy said never sing it for Madeline.”
Daniel went still.
“Why?”
May you like
Emma looked toward the door.
“Because Mommy didn’t trust her.”
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