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“The police said Daniel missed a turn on the coastal road and went through the guardrail.”

“He didn’t,” Thomas says.

Everyone looks at him.

“James examined the car after it was released by the police. The damage on the rear bumper wasn’t caused by the fall.”

“He was hit from behind,” Ward says.

“Twice. The first impact damaged the taillight. The second pushed him through the guardrail.”

Mom closes her eyes.

“You never told me that.”

“James wanted proof before he made you relive it.”

“He had proof.”

“Not enough to identify the driver.”

“But you knew it wasn’t an accident.”

“Yes.”

Mom’s grief turns to fury.

“You let me believe Daniel may have been distracted. That he may have driven too fast. I spent twenty-three years wondering whether he was angry because I agreed to meet Donald.”

Thomas’s eyes fill with tears.

“James made me promise.”

“James is dead.”

“I know.”

“So is my husband.”

Nathan finally places his hand on Mom’s shoulder.

She doesn’t pull away.

I want to be angry with Thomas.

Part of me is.

But he is an old man carrying promises that have destroyed nearly everyone he loved.

“Why did Grandpa wait so long to hide the film inside our gifts?” I ask.

“He didn’t,” Thomas answers.

“What do you mean?”

“He divided Daniel’s film within days of finding the camera.”

“But the gifts⁠—”