Chapter 5 - The Key Emily Left Behind)
Nathan did not tell Olivia about the key immediately.
For the first time in his life, he was afraid that knowing something might put his daughter in greater danger.
Rebecca was transferred out of the private clinic with help from state authorities.
An investigation began into Hawthorne Behavioral Center.
Three doctors connected to the facility had signed questionable psychological evaluations for wealthy families involved in custody or inheritance disputes.
One of those doctors had signed a document involving Olivia.
Dr. Malcolm Trent.
Nathan had never met him.
Yet Trent's evaluation described Olivia as emotionally unstable, aggressive, and dangerous to herself.
It recommended residential care.
The date on the evaluation was two weeks before the wedding.
Nathan read it three times.
Olivia had never been examined by Trent.
Vanessa's signature appeared beneath the report as future legal guardian.
Nathan crushed the paper in his hand.
His new attorney, Sarah Bennett, stopped him.
"We need that."
Nathan released it.
"She was planning this before we were married."
"Yes."
"Could she have legally sent Olivia away?"
"Not easily. Not without you."
"Then why prepare it?"
Sarah looked toward the stack of trust documents.
"Because someone expected you to sign something."
Nathan understood.
Leonard had planned to place dozens of papers before him before the honeymoon.
Tax adjustments.
Corporate resolutions.
Temporary travel authorizations.
Somewhere inside them would have been the legal authority required.
Nathan would have signed because he trusted Leonard.
That knowledge hurt almost as much as Vanessa's betrayal.
That night Nathan finally showed Olivia the brass key.
She sat cross legged on his bed wearing pajamas covered in small yellow stars.
"Mommy's?"
Nathan nodded.
"Rebecca says Mommy wanted you to have it."
Olivia held the key carefully.
"What does it open?"
"I don't know."
She studied it.
Then her eyes widened.
"I saw this."
Nathan sat forward.
"Where?"
"In Mommy's music box."
Nathan's heartbeat accelerated.
Emily had owned an old walnut music box.
After her death, Nathan had stored it in a private cabinet because hearing the melody was too painful.
He had not opened it for years.
Nathan retrieved it from his bedroom safe.
Olivia touched the lid.
A painted robin decorated the top.
"My mommy showed me bird."
"You remember?"
Olivia nodded.
Nathan felt tears sting his eyes.
She had been barely one when Emily died.
He had assumed she remembered almost nothing.
The key did not fit the main lock.
They examined the box.
Olivia turned it upside down.
Her small finger traced the wooden base.
"Here."
A tiny hole had been carved into one corner.
Nathan inserted the brass key.
A hidden panel released.
Inside was a folded note.
Nathan recognized Emily's handwriting instantly.
His hands shook as he unfolded it.
Nathan,
If you are reading this, I was right to be afraid.
Do not trust the foundation records.
Do not trust Leonard.
Everything you need begins with the account marked Larkspur.
But the evidence is not here.
I could not risk keeping it where he could find it.
I left the next step where Olivia first heard the ocean.
Please forgive me for keeping this from you.
Protect our daughter.
Emily
Nathan read the letter twice.
Then a third time.
Olivia watched him.
"Why are you sad?"
Nathan pulled her into his arms.
"Because Mommy was trying to protect us."
"From Mr. Vale?"
"Yes."
Olivia thought about that.
Then she asked, "Where did I hear the ocean?"
Nathan knew immediately.
Emily had taken Olivia to Cape May when she was six months old.
They stayed in a small family cottage owned by Emily's parents.
Nathan had not visited since her death.
The cottage stood empty.
Nathan called Michael.
"We leave before sunrise."
Unfortunately, they were not the only ones who knew about Cape May.
May you like
At 3:40 that morning, a security alarm on Nathan's phone activated.
Someone had entered the cottage.
