Chapter 1
The police officer did not allow anyone near the coffin.
“Everybody back.”
Ryan protested immediately.
“This is my brother’s funeral.”
The officer shoved him away from Sarah again.
“And that is a living man inside the casket.”
The funeral director cut the restraints while another employee called paramedics.
The older man was conscious but badly dehydrated. His wrists were bruised from restraints, and adhesive had irritated the skin around his mouth.
He kept trying to speak before the gag was completely removed.
“Phone.”
The officer leaned closer.
“What?”
“Daniel’s phone.”
Sarah stared at the coffin.
The ringtone had stopped.
An officer reached beneath the lining and recovered a black smartphone.
Sarah recognized the cracked corner of the case.
Daniel’s.
Margaret suddenly said:
“That should not be touched.”
Everyone looked at her.
The officer answered:
“Nothing in this coffin is leaving police custody.”
Margaret went silent.
Emma clung to Sarah’s mourning dress.
“Is Daddy in there?”
Sarah knelt immediately.
“No, sweetheart.”
“Where is he?”
Sarah could not answer.
Neither could anybody else.
The older man was placed on a stretcher.
Before paramedics moved him, he caught Sarah’s wrist.
“Walter Sloane.”
She frowned.
“Who?”
“My name.”
His voice was weak.
“Daniel knew me.”
Margaret closed her eyes.
Ryan looked toward the exit.
The officer noticed.
“Stay where you are.”
Walter continued:
“Don’t let them file anything.”
Sarah leaned closer.
“File what?”
His eyes shifted toward Margaret.
“Daniel’s estate.”
Then he lost consciousness.
At the hospital, Walter was treated for dehydration, a concussion, and the effects of being restrained. Doctors expected him to recover.
Police locked down the funeral chapel.
Detective Elise Monroe arrived within twenty minutes.
She had already been trying to locate Walter.
That explained why a uniformed officer had been close enough to enter the service so quickly.
Walter had missed a scheduled meeting with her that morning.
Before disappearing, he had sent one message:
If I do not arrive, go to the Vance funeral. Do not let them bury Daniel until you see what is inside.
Elise looked at Sarah.
“Did you know Mr. Sloane?”
“No.”
“Did Daniel?”
“Apparently.”
“Did you know Daniel’s death identification was still technically provisional?”
Sarah stared at her.
“What?”
Margaret stepped forward.
“That is misleading.”
Elise turned.
“You can speak through counsel.”
Sarah’s voice sharpened.
“I buried my husband today.”
“No,” Elise said carefully.
“You almost buried Walter Sloane.”
Then she placed the official death-identification report on the table.
May you like
Beside Daniel Vance’s name were two words Sarah had never been shown.
Pending confirmation.
