“Tell them to speak to social services.”
“They found Lily’s mother alive.”
His hands stopped.
“Alive?”
“Barely. The ambulance is bringing her here.”
Relief passed across his face.
Then Maria continued.
“They found an envelope addressed to you.”
Daniel stared at her.
“What?”
“And a photograph.”
The color drained from his face before she even showed him.
Maria held up the image the deputy had sent.
Daniel stepped backward.
The photograph had been taken twelve years earlier.
He remembered the exact day.
His graduation from medical school.
Anna Carter had worn a blue dress and cried when his name was called.
They had planned to marry.
Then, seven months later, she disappeared.
No note.
No phone call.
No explanation.
Her apartment had been emptied.
Her number disconnected.
Her mother told him Anna had left the state with someone else and wanted no contact.
Daniel had written letters.
They were returned unopened.
