Chapter 14 - THE FAMILY DRAWS A LINE
Robert wanted security around Olivia immediately.
Olivia resisted.
“I’m not living like a prisoner.”
Sarah answered before Robert could.
“You’re also not walking alone while somebody is sending photographs of you.”
For once, Olivia did not argue.
The family moved temporarily to Sarah’s sister’s house outside the city.
Liam refused to leave Nora alone, so Nora came too.
Seven people ended up squeezed inside a house meant for four.
It should have been miserable.
Instead, something unexpected happened.
They became a family.
Nora taught Sarah Lydia’s favorite soup recipe.
Olivia discovered Liam snored when he fell asleep watching television.
Robert and Liam repaired a broken fence together and argued over every tool.
At dinner Olivia stole Liam’s dessert.
He stole it back.
Sarah watched them and smiled.
Pain had created their relationship.
Ordinary moments were beginning to define it.
Then Miriam called.
She had found the administrator who signed Lydia’s records.
Dr. Samuel Crane.
Retired.
Living in Arizona.
And willing to talk.
Robert flew there with Liam.
Crane looked at Liam for less than five seconds before saying:
“You have Lydia’s eyes.”
Liam remained standing.
“Tell me what happened.”
Crane confessed that Howard and Nathan paid the hospital.
Birth records were altered.
Lydia’s condition was exaggerated to justify transferring her.
Crane signed everything.
“Did you kill her?” Liam asked.
Crane’s face collapsed.
“No.”
“Then how did she die?”
Crane looked toward Robert.
“I don’t know.”
“But I know her death frightened Howard.”
Robert frowned.
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“Why?”
“Because the day before Lydia died, she mailed a package to the district attorney.”
