PART FOUR — RACHEL’S VOICE
The brass key opened a small safe-deposit box at First County Bank.
Daniel went there the next morning.
Margaret came with him.
He almost refused.
Then he realized she was the only person who knew what they were looking for.
Inside the box were three objects.
A second hospital bracelet.
A sealed envelope bearing Rachel’s handwriting.
And a small digital recorder.
Daniel recognized the recorder immediately.
Rachel had used it for interviews when she worked as a freelance journalist.
His hands began shaking.
He pressed PLAY.
Static crackled.
Then Rachel’s voice filled the tiny private room.
“Daniel, if you’re hearing this, then something has happened that I hoped never would.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
Nineteen months disappeared.
She was alive again.
Her voice was warm, measured, familiar.
“I found out about Margaret and your birth by accident. At first, I thought exactly what you probably think now—that she kidnapped you.”
Margaret looked down.
Rachel continued.
“But I was wrong.”
Daniel opened his eyes.
“I tracked down Eleanor.”
Daniel stopped the recording.
“You knew this?”
Margaret shook her head.
“No.”
“You never met her?”
“Not since 1985.”
Daniel pressed PLAY again.
“She lives under the name Eleanor Bishop in Vermont. Daniel, she remembers everything about you. Your birth weight. The shape of your ears. The little crescent-shaped mark behind your left knee.”
Daniel instinctively touched his leg.
Rachel’s voice softened.
“She never stopped loving you.”
Daniel pressed his fist against his mouth.
Margaret began quietly crying.
Then Rachel said something neither expected.
“But there is another reason Margaret has been afraid to tell you.”
The recording clicked.
A pause.
“Thomas Hart learned you were alive.”
Daniel looked at Margaret.
She went pale.
Rachel continued.
