I had been at the office, finishing a presentation for a major investor. Emily had called to say she was going out briefly. We had argued that morning about a financial statement I hadn’t had time to review.

I remembered her saying, “We need to talk about James.””

I had told her we could talk when I got home.

I never heard her voice again.

“No,” I said.

“Lily wasn’t home when Emily left.””

Detective Collins studied me.

“Then we’ll avoid drawing conclusions until we have more information.””

She paused.

“There’s one more thing. The original accident report was recently requested as part of a records review. Investigators noticed an inconsistency between the initial witness statement and the final report. I can’t discuss all the details yet, but someone appears to have changed the description of another vehicle near the scene.””

I felt the walls closing in.

“Another vehicle?””

“That’s what we’re examining.””

“Was James involved?””

“I can’t tell you that.””

I stared at her.

“Do you think my wife was murdered?””

Detective Collins chose her words carefully.

“I think you should prepare yourself for the possibility that the accident deserves a closer investigation.””

When I returned to Lily, she was sitting on the sofa with a small blanket around her shoulders. The paramedic had given her a cold compress.

She looked so tiny in the enormous dressing room.

I sat beside her.

“How’s your cheek, sweetheart?””

“It hurts a little.””

“I’m sorry.””

She reached up and touched my tie.

“Are you still marrying Vanessa?””

“No.””

Her shoulders relaxed.

“Good.””

I kissed her forehead.

“Can I ask you something? You don’t have to answer if it scares you.””

She nodded.

“Do you remember anything about the night Mommy died?””

Lily looked toward the window.

For a long moment, I thought she wouldn’t answer.

Then she whispered, “I remember the red car.””

My heart stopped.

“What red car?””

“The one outside our house.””

I leaned closer.

“Tell me what you remember, baby.””

She squeezed the blanket between her fingers.

“Mommy was crying. Uncle James was standing by the front door. He told her she had to go somewhere.””

I felt sick.

“Where was Vanessa?””

“She wasn’t there yet.””

“Are you sure?””

Lily nodded.

“Uncle James told Mommy not to tell you about the papers. Mommy said she wasn’t going to let him take my money.””

I could barely breathe.

Then Lily looked up at me.

“Daddy, I saw Uncle James put something in Mommy’s car.””

My entire body went cold.

“What did he put in it?””

She shook her head, tears filling her eyes.

“I don’t know. But he told Mommy it was a present.””

Before I could ask anything else, Detective Collins returned.

She had her phone in her hand, and her expression had changed.

“Mr. Carter,” she said, “we’ve just received a call from the county evidence unit.””

I stood.

“What happened?””

“They located an archived photograph taken during the original investigation.””

May you like

She looked at Lily, then back at me.

“The vehicle visible behind your wife’s car belongs to someone in your family.””

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