Chapter 19 - The Doctor in New HampshireClinic records led them to Dr. Aaron Bell.
Bell had delivered Emma.
He was ninety years old and living with his daughter.
When Emma introduced herself, he immediately recognized Julianne's eyes.
“I wondered if you'd ever come.”
Bell explained that Julianne suffered internal injuries from the crash.
Emma was delivered seven weeks early.
Mother and daughter both survived.
For nearly two years, Julianne lived under the name Julia Shaw.
Miriam rented a cottage nearby.
“Did my mother recover?” Emma asked.
“Physically, partly.”
“And then?”
Bell lowered his eyes.
“She developed complications from her original injuries. Surgery might have helped, but she was terrified of entering a major hospital.”
“Because she thought she'd be found.”
“Yes.”
Adrian looked devastated.
“When did she die?”
“November 3, 2004.”
Emma had been two.
Adrian turned away.
Twenty-two years.
Not twenty-four.
He had lost two years he could have had.
Emma's voice trembled.
“Where is she buried?”
Bell gave them the name.
Julia Shaw.
A cemetery in New Hampshire.
No Mercer name.
No family monument.
Just a modest stone Miriam had paid for.
Before leaving, Bell handed Emma an envelope.
“Julianne gave me this.”
“Why didn't you send it?”
“She told me only to give it to Emma when the danger was over.”
“Is it over?”
Bell looked toward Adrian.
“I hope so.”
Inside was a small photograph.
Julianne holding two-year-old Emma.
May you like
On the back:
Tell her I stayed as long as I could.
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