Chapter 7: The Night Everything Went## Chapter 7: The Night Everything Went Wrong
I called Michael back eleven times.
Every call went straight to voicemail.
Wrong
I called Michael back eleven times.
Every call went straight to voicemail.
By the twelfth attempt, I was standing in my kitchen with my phone pressed againstBy the twelfth attempt, I was standing in my kitchen with my phone pressed against my ear, listening to a recorded greeting while Miles watched my ear, listening to a recorded greeting while Miles watched me from the doorway.
“Mom, maybe he's scared,” Miles said.
I lowered the phone.
“Scared me from the doorway.
“Mom, maybe he's scared,” Miles said.
I lowered the phone.
“Scared of what?””
“Whoever is sending those messages.””
I wanted to dismiss the suggestion. I wanted to believe that adults were supposed to have answers, that if someone of what?””
“Whoever is sending those messages.””
I wanted to dismiss the suggestion. I wanted to believe that adults were supposed to have answers, that if someone threatened your family, there was a number you could call and a person who would make everything right.
But Daniel threatened your family, there was a number you could call and a person who would make everything right.
But Daniel had died believing he could still fix the damage his father had caused.
And now I was discovering how much of that had died believing he could still fix the damage his father had caused.
And now I was discovering how much of that damage had never truly disappeared.
I called Principal Bennett and told him about Michael's phone call. He asked me to forward damage had never truly disappeared.
I called Principal Bennett and told him about Michael's phone call. He asked me to forward the messages and warned me not to arrange a meeting with Michael alone.
Then I contacted the police about the the messages and warned me not to arrange a meeting with Michael alone.
Then I contacted the police about the threatening photographs and the attempt to intimidate Miles. I gave them every detail I had, including the car that had been parked outside our house.
For once, threatening photographs and the attempt to intimidate Miles. I gave them every detail I had, including the car that had been parked outside our house.
For once, I didn't tell myself the problem would disappear if I ignored it.
At eleven thirty, a message arrived from an unknown number.
*If you want the truth I didn't tell myself the problem would disappear if I ignored it.
At eleven thirty, a message arrived from an unknown number.
If you want the truth about Thomas, come to the old Harris house at four. Bring the photograph. Come alone.
I showed the message about Thomas, come to the old Harris house at four. Bring the photograph. Come alone.*
I showed the message to the officer handling our report.
He advised against going without proper arrangements. After discussing the situation, we to the officer handling our report.
He advised against going without proper arrangements. After discussing the situation, we agreed that any meeting would need to happen with police involvement.
Then I called Rebecca.
When I told agreed that any meeting would need to happen with police involvement.
Then I called Rebecca.
When I told her about Michael's message, she went quiet.
“Emily, don't go to that house.””
“Why?””
“Because that's where Thomas died.””
The words seemed to stop her about Michael's message, she went quiet.
“Emily, don't go to that house.””
“Why?””
“Because that's where Thomas died.””
The words seemed to stop the room around me.
“You told me he died years before Daniel was born.””
“I told you what Richard wanted everyone to believe.””
“Rebecca the room around me.
“You told me he died years before Daniel was born.””
“I told you what Richard wanted everyone to believe.””
“Rebecca, I need the whole truth.””
She began crying.
“I don't know the whole truth. I was twelve. I heard shouting, I need the whole truth.””
She began crying.
“I don't know the whole truth. I was twelve. I heard shouting that night. I saw Daniel come home with blood on his shirt.
Richard told us Thomas had fallen down the cellar stairs during that night. I saw Daniel come home with blood on his shirt. Richard told us Thomas had fallen down the cellar stairs during an argument.””
“And you believed him?””
“I was a child. Daniel was a child. Richard told us that if anyone found an argument.””
“And you believed him?””
“I was a child. Daniel was a child. Richard told us that if anyone found out what happened, Daniel would be taken away.””
I closed my eyes.
“What happened to Thomas?””
“I don't know. Richard said he'd called for out what happened, Daniel would be taken away.””
I closed my eyes.
“What happened to Thomas?””
“I don't know. Richard said he'd called for help too late. By morning, Thomas was gone. We were told not to ask questions.””
“Was there help too late. By morning, Thomas was gone. We were told not to ask questions.””
“Was there an investigation?””
“Yes. Richard said it was an accident. There were no charges. He made sure nobody in the family discussed an investigation?””
“Yes. Richard said it was an accident. There were no charges. He made sure nobody in the family discussed it.””
I gripped the phone.
“And Daniel carried that secret for the rest of his life?””
“Yes.””
I thought about the man I it.””
I gripped the phone.
“And Daniel carried that secret for the rest of his life?””
“Yes.””
I thought about the man I had married, the husband who never raised his voice, who always made sure I felt safe.
How much of had married, the husband who never raised his voice, who always made sure I felt safe.
How much of his gentleness had been a choice made in opposition to the home where he'd grown up?
And how much of his his gentleness had been a choice made in opposition to the home where he'd grown up?
And how much of his silence had been fear?
“Rebecca, I'm going to find out what happened.””
“Please be careful.””
“I intend to be.””
That afternoon, Miles and silence had been fear?
“Rebecca, I'm going to find out what happened.””
“Please be careful.””
“I intend to be.””
That afternoon, Miles and I went to the school with the messages, the photographs, and copies of Daniel's letter.
Principal Bennett met us in the conference room.
“I want I went to the school with the messages, the photographs, and copies of Daniel's letter.
Principal Bennett met us in the conference room.
“I want you to know that the school is taking the threats seriously,” he said.
“Ariana's family has been informed, and we're coordinating with the appropriate authorities.””
Miles sat beside me, twisting his fingers together.
“I need you to know that the school is taking the threats seriously,” he said.
“Ariana's family has been informed, and we're coordinating with the appropriate authorities.””
Miles sat beside me, twisting his fingers together.
“I need to tell you something,” he said.
Principal Bennett leaned forward.
“Go ahead, Miles.””
“The group chat started because some boys in my class were making to tell you something,” he said.
Principal Bennett leaned forward.
“Go ahead, Miles.””
“The group chat started because some boys in my class were making fun of people. At first, I just watched. Then they started making fun of me for not saying anything.””
“Who started it?”” I asked.
Miles hesitated.
“A boy named Trevor. fun of people. At first, I just watched. Then they started making fun of me for not saying anything.””
“Who started it?”” I asked.
Miles hesitated.
“A boy named Trevor. His older brother used to know my dad.””
Principal Bennett exchanged a glance with the counselor.
“Did Trevor ever mention His older brother used to know my dad.””
Principal Bennett exchanged a glance with the counselor.
“Did Trevor ever mention the Harris family history?””
Miles nodded.
“He said his brother had old videos of my dad. He said he could the Harris family history?””
Miles nodded.
“He said his brother had old videos of my dad. He said he could make everybody laugh at me if I didn't join in.””
“Why didn't you tell an adult?”” I asked.
Miles's eyes filled.
“Because I was afraid you'd be disappointed in me.””
I reached for make everybody laugh at me if I didn't join in.””
“Why didn't you tell an adult?”” I asked.
Miles's eyes filled.
“Because I was afraid you'd be disappointed in me.””
I reached for his hand.
“I am disappointed in the choices you made. But I would rather hear an uncomfortable truth from you than have you hide it because you're afraid of losing his hand.
“I am disappointed in the choices you made. But I would rather hear an uncomfortable truth from you than have you hide it because you're afraid of losing my love.””
He squeezed my fingers.
Then he turned to Principal Bennett.
“I want to tell you everything. my love.””
He squeezed my fingers.
Then he turned to Principal Bennett.
“I want to tell you everything. Even if I get suspended.””
The principal nodded.
“That's the right place to start.””
For the next hour, Miles identified the students involved, described how the group chat operated, and explained how the teasing had escalated into threats. The counselor Even if I get suspended.””
The principal nodded.
“That's the right place to start.””
For the next hour, Miles identified the students involved, described how the group chat operated, and explained how the teasing had escalated into threats. The counselor recorded his statement, and the school agreed to review the evidence fairly, protecting the students involved while addressing the harm.
When we left recorded his statement, and the school agreed to review the evidence fairly, protecting the students involved while addressing the harm.
When we left, Miles looked exhausted.
“Do you think Ariana will ever talk to me again?”” he asked.
“I don't know.””
He nodded.
“I, Miles looked exhausted.
“Do you think Ariana will ever talk to me again?”” he asked.
“I don't know.””
He nodded.
“I wouldn't blame her if she didn't.””
It was the first time he'd said something about Ariana without defending himself.
At three wouldn't blame her if she didn't.””
It was the first time he'd said something about Ariana without defending himself.
At three forty-five, I received another call from Michael.
This time, I answered before the first ring ended.
“Where are you?”” I demanded forty-five, I received another call from Michael.
This time, I answered before the first ring ended.
“Where are you?”” I demanded.
“I'm at the old house.””
“Why are you contacting my son?””
“I'm not. Someone else is using my name. That's.
“I'm at the old house.””
“Why are you contacting my son?””
“I'm not. Someone else is using my name. That's why I called you earlier.””
“Then tell me what happened to Thomas.””
Michael exhaled.
“Thomas was my father. He discovered that Richard had been stealing why I called you earlier.””
“Then tell me what happened to Thomas.””
Michael exhaled.
“Thomas was my father. He discovered that Richard had been stealing money from a family account that belonged to him. When Dad confronted him, Richard became violent.””
My knees weakened.
“Was Daniel there?””
“Yes. He was nine years old. Richard had been money from a family account that belonged to him. When Dad confronted him, Richard became violent.””
My knees weakened.
“Was Daniel there?””
“Yes. He was nine years old. Richard had been shouting at him, blaming him for something he hadn't done. Dad stepped between them.””
Michael's voice broke.
“He told shouting at him, blaming him for something he hadn't done. Dad stepped between them.””
Michael's voice broke.
“He told Richard to leave Daniel alone. They struggled near the cellar stairs. Daniel tried to pull them apart, and Richard to leave Daniel alone.
They struggled near the cellar stairs. Daniel tried to pull them apart, and Dad fell.””
I covered my mouth.
“Did Richard push him?””
“I don't know. I wasn't there. I was at my mother's house that Dad fell.””
I covered my mouth.
“Did Richard push him?””
“I don't know. I wasn't there. I was at my mother's house that night. I only know what Daniel told me years later.””
“What did Daniel tell you?””
“That he heard Thomas fall. That Richard ordered him to stay quiet night. I only know what Daniel told me years later.””
“What did Daniel tell you?””
“That he heard Thomas fall. That Richard ordered him to stay quiet. That when Daniel tried to tell the police what he'd seen, Richard threatened to have him taken away and blamed him for causing the fight. That when Daniel tried to tell the police what he'd seen, Richard threatened to have him taken away and blamed him for causing the fight.””
My stomach twisted.
“Did Thomas die?””
Michael paused.
“Yes. But the part that never made sense was what happened afterward.””
“What?””
“Richard.””
My stomach twisted.
“Did Thomas die?””
Michael paused.
“Yes. But the part that never made sense was what happened afterward.””
“What?””
“Richard insisted that Thomas had no family left who could challenge his estate. But my father had left documents proving that insisted that Thomas had no family left who could challenge his estate. But my father had left documents proving that I was his son and that certain assets belonged to me.””
I thought about Rebecca's story.
The disputed property. I was his son and that certain assets belonged to me.””
I thought about Rebecca's story.
The disputed property. The missing cousin. The scratched-out face.
“Why did Daniel contact you?””
“Because he found those documents. He wanted to correct what Richard had done.””
“Then The missing cousin. The scratched-out face.
“Why did Daniel contact you?””
“Because he found those documents. He wanted to correct what Richard had done.””
“Then why didn't he tell me?””
“I think he wanted to settle it before involving you. He was afraid the truth would hurt his why didn't he tell me?””
“I think he wanted to settle it before involving you. He was afraid the truth would hurt his family.””
I stared at the clock.
“Michael, I received a message telling me to come to the house at four.””
“I sent no such message.””
“Then family.””
I stared at the clock.
“Michael, I received a message telling me to come to the house at four.””
“I sent no such message.””
“Then who did?””
“I don't know. But Emily, listen carefully. Don't go inside that house. Someone has who did?””
“I don't know. But Emily, listen carefully. Don't go inside that house. Someone has been searching for the original documents, and I think they know Daniel found them.””
A car horn sounded through the phone.
Michael sw been searching for the original documents, and I think they know Daniel found them.””
A car horn sounded through the phone.
Michael swore under his breath.
“Someone's here.””
“Who?””
“I can't see clearly.””
“Michael, get somewhereore under his breath.
“Someone's here.””
“Who?””
“I can't see clearly.””
“Michael, get somewhere safe.””
Then I heard a door slam.
A man's voice shouted in the background.
Michael whispered, “Oh, God. It's him safe.””
Then I heard a door slam.
A man's voice shouted in the background.
Michael whispered, “Oh, God. It's him.””
The call disconnected.
I immediately contacted the officer handling the case and gave him Michael's location.
Then I looked at the photograph on my phone.
The restored image showed.””
The call disconnected.
I immediately contacted the officer handling the case and gave him Michael's location.
Then I looked at the photograph on my phone.
The restored image showed three boys: Daniel, Matthew, and Michael.
For the first time, I noticed something I'd missed before.
Daniel three boys: Daniel, Matthew, and Michael.
For the first time, I noticed something I'd missed before.
Daniel wasn't looking at the camera.
He was looking at Michael.
And Michael was holding a small metal box.
A box that looked exactly like the one Daniel had hidden beneath the floorboards in his old office.
The same wasn't looking at the camera.
He was looking at Michael.
And Michael was holding a small metal box.
A box that looked exactly like the one Daniel had hidden beneath the floorboards in his old office.
The same office I had never touched since his death.
I called home.
No answer.
I tried again.
Still nothing.
Then my phone buzzed with a message from Miles.
*Mom, office I had never touched since his death.
I called home.
No answer.
I tried again.
Still nothing.
Then my phone buzzed with a message from Miles.
Mom, someone is inside Dad's office.
Below the words was a photograph of the open floorboards.
And beside the hidden compartment someone is inside Dad's office.*
Below the words was a photograph of the open floorboards.
May you like
And beside the hidden compartment lay a single sheet of paper covered in fresh blood.
lay a single sheet of paper covered in fresh blood.
