Chapter 11 - What Melissa Knew
For the next twenty-four hours I heard nothing from Melissa.
Daniel told me not to chase her.
If she wanted to make a statement, she could do so safely through counsel.
The following afternoon she appeared at Ruth's house without warning.
Ruth called me, and I agreed to speak with her in Ruth's presence.
Melissa wore no makeup.
Her engagement ring looked strangely large on her pale hand.
"Grant says you destroyed his company," she began.
"His debts existed before I learned about them."
She sat on the edge of the sofa.
"I know."
For a moment I thought we might finally have an honest conversation.
Then she said, "If you stop the investigation, he'll leave us alone."
I almost laughed.
"You want me to protect the man who forged my name?"
"I want my life back."
"So do I."
The room fell silent.
Melissa's eyes moved to a framed picture of Lily and Noah on Ruth's mantel.
She stared at it for a long time.
"I didn't know what to say after the crash," she whispered.
"You could have said nothing and come to the funeral."
She flinched.
"Dad told us you wouldn't want a big scene."
"You heard me beg him to come."
She opened her mouth and closed it again.
That silence was an answer.
"Why didn't you come?" I asked.
Melissa began to cry.
"Because everybody was finally celebrating me."
Ruth turned away.
I sat motionless.
Melissa covered her face.
"I know how terrible that sounds."
"It is terrible."
Her tears came harder.
But she hadn't finished.
"Grant said we could make it up to you later."
I felt a wave of nausea.
"Did he know about the accident that day?"
"Yes. Dad told him."
"And he still encouraged the party?"
She nodded.
Melissa reached into her bag and took out a small flash drive.
"He copied Dad's recording."
She laid it on the table.
"I listened to it last night."
"Then you know what your father said."
"I know what I said too."
I wanted to ask whether she was sorry.
Instead I asked whether the device was original or a copy.
Daniel had taught me the difference mattered.
"A copy," she said. "Grant has the original files."
She began trembling.
"He keeps threatening to give Dad's signed papers to the authorities unless our family makes you pay."
I looked at the drive.
It held a moment I had tried to survive by forgetting.
I did not touch it.
I called Daniel.
He instructed Ruth to secure it untouched until he could arrange proper forensic handling.
Melissa stood to leave.
"Will you forgive me?"
I looked at my sister.
"I don't know."
May you like
For once, I refused to make her feelings more urgent than my own.
