My husband drove the car into the river with my brother and me trapped inside, but when the water had already reached my neck, the man who had been “paralyzed” for 15 years stood up from his wheelchair, k:ick:ed the door open, and whispered, “Play d:ea:d. He’s watching.” I didn’t ask any questions… until I saw who was waiting for my husband on the shore.

He had used it for fifteen years.

Ever since the accident that killed our parents.

I was nineteen when it happened.

Tobias was twenty-two.

Our parents had been driving home from the Mercer Shipyard outside Baltimore.

Their car left the road on a bridge.

Both died before help arrived.

Tobias survived.

But doctors told us his spinal injuries were devastating.

He never walked again.

At least that was what I had believed.

That afternoon, Garrett told me he wanted to show us a property near Savannah Creek.

He said it might be a good investment.

The Mercer family owned several marine businesses.

Garrett had become increasingly involved after our marriage.

At first, I liked that.

I thought it meant he wanted to be part of my world.

Now I understood he had wanted control of it.

The road curved sharply ahead.

Garrett accelerated.

I looked over.

“Slow down.”

He did not respond.