PART 6
He knocked again.
“Miranda?”
I remained silent.
“I know you’re in there.”
My stomach tightened.
How did he know?
He stepped closer to the window.
“I’m not here to hurt you.”
That was exactly what someone would say if they wanted me to open the door.
I backed away.
Then my phone rang.
Richard.
I stared at his name.
He had never called me directly since the divorce.
Not once.
Everything had gone through attorneys or text messages about the children.
Why was he calling now?
I answered.
Neither of us spoke for several seconds.
Then Richard said quietly, “You found it.”
“What?”
“The safe.”
I looked toward the hallway.
Richard exhaled.
“I wondered how long it would take.”
I could barely speak.
“How do you know about the safe?”
He ignored the question.
“Miranda, listen to me. Whatever your mother left you, you don’t understand it.”
“Then explain it.”
Silence.
“Richard?”
“You need to leave that property.”
“No.”
“You have no idea what you’re involving yourself in.”
“I think I finally do.”
His voice changed.
The softness disappeared.
“Who have you spoken to?”
“No one.”
“Did you open the drive?”
I didn’t answer.
“Miranda.”
“Why?”
“What?”
“Why did you investigate me before you filed for divorce?”
Silence.
“Why did you try to buy my mother’s land?”
Nothing.
“Why does a trust worth nearly three million dollars have my name on it?”
For the first time since I had known him, Richard sounded genuinely frightened.
“You opened everything.”
It wasn’t a question.
“Yes.”
“You shouldn’t have.”
I looked through the window.
Daniel was still standing on the porch.
“Your friend Daniel is here.”
Richard went silent.
Then he said something that made my blood run cold.
“Do not let him inside.”
“Why?”
“Because he isn’t there to help you.”
The call ended.
I stared at the phone.
A second later, someone knocked again.
Daniel’s voice came through the door.
“Miranda, your mother told me that if you ever found the safe, I was supposed to come here.”
I didn’t move.
He continued.
“She also told me you wouldn’t trust me.”
My hand tightened around the brass key.
“She’s right.”
Daniel sighed.
“Then at least listen to what I have to say through the door.”
I walked toward the hallway.
“What did my mother know?”
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