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.

My mouth went dry.

“You told me you didn’t remember.”

“I lied.”

I stared.

Tobias continued.

“I remember the brakes failing.”

“I remember Dad pumping the pedal.”

“I remember Mom screaming.”

“I remember another car behind us.”

“What car?”

“A black Lincoln.”

I shook my head.

“That means nothing.”

“It belonged to Victor Vale.”

Garrett’s father.

I stopped breathing.

“No.”

“Yes.”

“You’re saying Garrett’s father killed our parents?”

“I’m saying he helped cause that crash.”

“Why?”

“The shipyard.”

I stared at him.

Tobias kept his voice low.

“Victor had been trying to force Dad into selling Mercer Marine.”

“Dad refused.”

“Then company documents disappeared.”

“Contracts were sabotaged.”

“Suppliers were pressured.”

“Dad believed someone was trying to weaken us.”

“Why didn’t he tell me?”

“You were nineteen.”

“He was trying to protect you.”

I laughed bitterly.

“That worked well.”

Tobias looked away.

“He was collecting evidence.”