Page 102 of You Know Why

“Aunt Eden can keep living with us, right, Mom?” Neve asks. “She tells really cool bedtime stories. All about these two sisters who look alike and have adventures!” Margot grabs Neve around the stomach and hauls her niece to her chest. She’s gotten too big to be tossed up onto Margot’s shoulder like she used to.

“Your mom might want you all to herself, you know. You haven’t had a lot of time together.”

I am grateful that my sister is at least remotely aware of this. She seems to have been sucked into Eden’s spell, too. The idea of this stranger tucking in my children makes me want to puke. God knows what else she’s been up to.

“But this is the best part,” Eden says. “I get to work from home. So, Brooklyn, I can stay right here and help you get back on your feet. You’ll need someone to do the errands, cook, and clean, for a while, just until you’re feeling better. The doctors said they didn’t want you overdoing it.”

How does she know what the doctors have said? That has to have come directly from Margot. Or was Eden involved in my medical decisions, too? I knew she was at the hospital all the time, hovering, insinuating herself into everything. The idea that she’s had a hand in my recovery plans rattles me.

Who am I kidding? This whole situation feels . . . wrong.

“May I speak to you?” I say to my sister. My tone is clear, and she sets Neve down and pats Four on the head. “Eat your apple, sweeties.”

“Brook—”

“Upstairs,” I say, because I want to get as far away as possible.

It takes me a minute. I get tired doing the climb for the second time.

In Four’s bedroom, I shut the door and point at the chairs set at perfect ninety-degree angles under the window.

“What the hell, Margot? She’s moved in here? She’s reorganized the whole house? Redecorating is next, I assume. And now she’s staying for good?”

“Yeah. I didn’t want to worry you. I’ve needed help with the kids, and work, and—”

“Are you two involved?”

She tucks her hair behind her ears, not meeting my eyes. “No. It’s not like that.”

“Not for her, maybe, but I see how you look at her.”

There are tears in her voice now. “That’s just because she’s ridiculously kind and attentive. You have no idea what it’s been like, Brook. First, we didn’t know if you’d survive, then if you’d even wake up. Now you have, and you’re home and healing and getting stronger. I am so incredibly grateful that you’re okay. But you do need help, and between the three of us, we’ll be able to keep things running.”

“I’ve been running my family just fine, thank you.”

Her exasperation is clear. “Trey’s gone, Brooklyn. Things have changed. Or have you forgotten? He took all the money.” She emphasizes those words, and I think of the crypto wallet in my back pocket. The realization hits me. He might have stolen our funds, but he’s converted them to crypto, and he left me this wallet so I could have access to the funds.

The thought makes me feel weak and breathless. How do I know this?

It feels important that I keep it to myself for the moment.

“He’ll come back. And even if he doesn’t, I make money. I have a job. I can provide for my family.” Can I? Can I cover the mortgage and the cars and school and everything, on my salary alone? I’m not sure if my current job will cover it. I don’t even know exactly what our monthly expenses are. But there’s no way the husband I know would leave me high and dry, and the wallet in my pocket is full of answers. I know it. I just need to get his phone open and assess the contents of the wallet.

“Will he?” Margot asks. “Or will you go looking for him? Will you take the kids with you while you search?”

“I was thinking about doing just that, yes.”

“Where?”

“I don’t know. Malogen? Go to where it all began. Maybe I can find something the police overlooked.”

“Oh yeah, go search the crime scenes, great idea. Especially while a murderer is walking free. Do you want to know more details about what that person did to Trey’s parents? Because I know. And you aren’t safe.”

I narrow my eyes at her sarcasm.

“Well, fine, then. If you’re going to Malogen, then Eden will be a help, because she knows the area.”

“Why are you pushing this woman on me?” I can’t help it; I’m yelling at her now.