Chapter 6 - What Happened Six Years Ago
Jason told Emma the story after midnight.
He sat across from her in the nursery while Noah slept between them. The medicine bottle remained inside Jason’s pocket.
According to Jason, Caleb had returned to the cabin six years earlier after months of accusing Valerie of hiding documents connected to their father’s accident.
Richard Mercer had died when his vehicle left a bridge during a winter storm. The police found the damaged car below the ravine, but recovery crews never found Richard’s body.
Valerie held a funeral anyway.
Caleb refused to attend.
He believed Richard had uncovered illegal transfers from the family company shortly before the crash. He also believed someone had moved the company records to the mountain house.
One night, Caleb entered the cabin through the lower garage.
Jason followed him.
They argued beside the maintenance platform. Caleb accused Jason of helping Valerie destroy evidence. Jason grabbed him. Caleb fell backward through a damaged railing and landed on the concrete level below.
Jason ran upstairs for help.
When he returned with Valerie, Caleb was gone.
Only blood remained on the concrete.
The family searched privately, but Valerie refused to contact the police immediately because she feared an investigation would damage the company.
By the time authorities were notified, the storm had erased any tracks leading away from the property.
Caleb was never found.
“You said he stole money and disappeared,” Emma said.
“I was trying to protect you.”
“From knowing you might have hurt your brother?”
“It was an accident.”
“And now he’s talking through the baby monitor.”
Jason rubbed his eyes.
“I don’t understand how.”
“He’s alive.”
“Or someone wants us to believe he is.”
Emma studied him.
“Why did Valerie leave after the phone call?”
“To speak to the attorney.”
“You said your mother arranged the medicine.”
Jason’s gaze dropped.
“I shouldn’t have said that.”
“But you did.”
“I meant she arranged the refill.”
“From which pharmacy?”
He did not answer.
Emma shifted Noah gently against her shoulder.
“I’m leaving tomorrow.”
“The road isn’t safe.”
“Then drive slowly.”
“You’re not well enough.”
“Call an ambulance.”
“No.”
“Why?”
Jason stood.
“Because once doctors start asking questions, they’ll separate us.”
“Who told you that?”
“Mom.”
Emma almost laughed.
Even now, everything came back to Valerie.
Jason did not make decisions. He carried out instructions and convinced himself they were acts of love.
“Give me my phone,” Emma said.
“You have your phone.”
“It has no service.”
“That isn’t my fault.”
“The signal booster is off.”
“The storm damaged it.”
“Then why did the monitor receive Caleb’s voice?”
Jason stared at the broken device on the floor.
“I don’t know.”
Emma noticed something beneath his sleeve.
A faint blue light reflected against his wrist.
He was wearing a second phone inside a slim sports band.
Jason saw her looking.
He pulled down his sleeve.
“What is that?”
“Nothing.”
“You have another phone.”
“It’s for emergencies.”
“This is an emergency.”
Jason moved toward the door.
Emma stepped in front of him.
“Give it to me.”
“Move.”
“No.”
“Emma, I don’t want to hurt you.”
The words silenced both of them.
Noah stirred in her arms.
Jason looked ashamed, but he did not give her the phone.
He left the nursery and locked the door from the outside.
Emma waited until his footsteps faded.
Then she retrieved the note from beneath the crib mattress.
The number connected to Caleb was saved in her phone, but she had no service.
The broken baby monitor might have another function. The model included a direct connection to the cabin’s internal wireless network.
Emma picked it up and examined the damaged casing.
The screen had cracked, but one symbol remained visible.
A message icon.
Inside the device was a single saved audio file.
Emma pressed play.
May you like
Jason’s voice filled the nursery.
“Friday is still the best time. Once I leave for the birthday dinner, no one can say I was here when she collapsed.”
