Chapter 8 - The Nurse Linda Fired
We found Dad’s tackle box at 2:11 in the morning.
The garage attic smelled like dust and old gasoline.
I climbed first.
Robert followed.
Megan stayed below with the officer.
The red metal box sat behind Christmas decorations.
Same chipped handle I remembered from childhood.
Locked.
I knew where Dad kept the key.
Under the false bottom of his workbench drawer.
It was still there.
Inside the tackle box:
Hooks.
Old line.
A photograph of me at nine holding a fish I had clearly not caught.
Then a waterproof envelope.
CHLOE.
I opened it.
Photos.
Dozens.
Medication organizer.
Prescription bottles.
Mom pouring tablets into her hand.
Dr. Porter entering Dad’s room.
Jason carrying documents.
A notary at the hospital.
Dad had built a case using the daughter who had already betrayed him.
I did not know whether to hate Chloe or hug her.
Then I found a small recorder.
Battery dead.
Robert replaced it.
The first file played.
Dad’s voice.
Clearer than I had heard him in months.
“Chloe, say the date.”
She did.
Dad:
“What did your mother ask you to do?”
Chloe:
“Put two of the white pills in your nighttime slot.”
Dad:
“Whose pills?”
Chloe:
“Jason’s.”
My stomach turned.
Dad continued.
“Did you?”
“No.”
A pause.
Then:
“I did the first time.”
Dad:
“And after?”
“I replaced them with your normal pills.”
Dad:
“Good.”
He sounded so tired.
But sharp.
Very sharp.
Dad:
“Do not confront her.”
Chloe:
“Why?”
“Because if Linda realizes we know, she will change the story.”
I stopped breathing.
Dad already knew exactly how Mom operated.
Next file.
Dad:
“Robert is checking the money.”
Chloe:
“Mom says Hannah took it.”
Dad:
“Hannah did not.”
Chloe cried.
“I know.”
Dad:
“Do you?”
Silence.
Then Dad:
“You helped them use her name.”
Chloe:
“I’m sorry.”
Dad:
“Sorry is not useful yet.”
I laughed through tears.
That was Dad.
Robert looked away.
The next file.
Dad:
“Jason knows more than he admits.”
Chloe:
“He loves Hannah.”
Dad:
“He loves convenience.”
I almost laughed again.
Then Dad said:
“If Hannah comes home, do not let Linda make her sign anything.”
Chloe:
“What if Mom throws her out?”
Dad:
“She can’t.”
A pause.
Then:
“The house is already Hannah’s.”
My knees weakened.
He had planned all of it.
Not revenge.
Protection.
Another file.
Dad coughing.
Then:
“Rebecca.”
Chloe said, “Who?”
Dad’s voice changed.
“Nothing.”
I froze.
He knew she was recording.
He almost said it anyway.
The final file was dated four days before he died.
Dad:
“Chloe, if I’m gone before Robert reaches Hannah, you tell her the truth.”
Chloe cried.
“I can’t.”
“You can.”
“Mom will hate me.”
“She already trained you to fear that.”
Silence.
Then Dad:
“The letter is in Robert’s file.”
Chloe:
“What about Rebecca?”
My hands went cold.
Dad took a long breath.
“Rebecca is not your problem.”
“Whose is she?”
A pause.
Then:
“Hannah’s.”
The recorder clicked.
File ended.
I looked at Robert.
He looked as confused as I felt.
My phone rang.
Chloe.
I answered.
“Where are you?”
“Police station.”
“What happened?”
“Mom told them I drugged Dad.”
My stomach dropped.
“What?”
“She says I stole Jason’s pills and gave them to him.”
Robert closed his eyes.
The story had changed.
Exactly like Dad predicted.
Chloe cried.
“Hannah, I did switch the pills once. I swear I thought Mom was telling the truth.”
“I know.”
She stopped.
“What?”
“We found the recorder.”
Silence.
Then she whispered, “Dad kept it.”
“Yes.”
Her breath broke.
“Hannah, there’s one thing I never told him.”
“What?”
“The first time I changed the pills, I didn’t get them from Mom.”
My hand tightened.
“Then who gave them to you?”
Chloe whispered:
May you like
“Jason.”
CUT.
