Chapter 4 - The Man Who Knew Their Names
Nolan Pike wore a wool coat and carried no umbrella, though rain had begun to fall. He looked exactly as Mara remembered: silver hair, smooth cheeks, and a patient smile meant to make resistance seem childish.“How did you know we were here?” Mara asked.“Caleb called me.”“Why would he call you?”“Because he is concerned.”June moved behind Mara. “You should not have followed us.”Pike’s smile disappeared. “Evelyn, you have made enough dangerous decisions.”Mara felt her mother’s hand close around the back of her coat.“You know that name,” Mara said.“I know many names.”“You know hers.”Pike looked toward the locker. “Give me the envelope.”“No.”“You don’t understand what you are holding.”“Then explain it.”“Your mother is ill. She has been confused for months. Caleb is trying to protect her from people who would exploit her.”“By grabbing her?”“Families have difficult moments.”“You drafted the care agreement.”“A legal safeguard.”“It gives Caleb her house.”“It gives him authority to manage it.”“That is not the same thing.”Pike stepped closer. “You have always been quick to confuse suspicion with courage.”Mara took out her phone and began recording. Pike noticed.“Put that away.”“Why?”“Because you are trespassing on private property.”“The depot belongs to the county.”Pike looked at June. “You told her.”June’s voice shook. “She had a right to know.”“You had a right to keep her safe.”“I tried.”Pike’s gaze returned to Mara. “Ask your mother what happened to Rose Bell.”June made a small, wounded sound.Mara stepped forward. “Who is Rose?”“Your mother’s sister,” Pike said. “The woman in the photograph.”“Where is she?”“Dead.”“How?”“A car accident.”June whispered, “Don’t listen to him.”Pike extended his hand. “The papers are old and incomplete. They will not help you. They will only give Caleb a reason to claim you are interfering with your mother’s care.”“You mean he could use them against us.”“I mean you are already in a precarious position.”A train horn sounded beyond the depot. The wall trembled.Mara slipped the envelope into the inner pocket of her coat. “We’re leaving.”Pike caught her arm.June struck his wrist with her walking stick. He released Mara, more surprised than hurt.“Touch my daughter again,” June said, “and I will tell everyone what you did.”Pike stared at her. For the first time, Mara saw something like fear in his face.They ran through the gap in the fence. Mara got June into the car and locked the doors. Pike remained beside the cabinet, watching them.As Mara pulled onto the road, June pressed the cassette tape against her chest.“We need a player,” Mara said.“No,” June replied.“Mom, what is on it?”June looked back at the shrinking depot.“The reason Rose died,” she said. “And the reason your brother has been trying to bury me alive.”
