The next morning, I wore the wig to chemotherapy while June went to school.
Several students made comments about her shaved head. Her history teacher, Mrs. Lang, noticed she was upset and invited her to stay after class to help organize costumes in the old auditorium.
The auditorium had once belonged to the Briarwood Children’s Home. Most of the building had been renovated when the school was constructed, but the storage loft above the stage had barely been touched.
While moving an old shelving unit, June noticed a loose floorboard.
Beneath it was a rusted metal box.
An envelope inside had her father’s name written across it.
June did not open anything else. She took the box directly to the principal.
Less than an hour after I returned from treatment, the school called.
“Mrs. Carter?” Mrs. Lang said. “June is safe, but a detective needs to speak with both of you.”
My neighbor drove me to the school.
For Complete Cooking STEPS Please Head On Over To Next Page Or Open button (>) and don’t forget to SHARE with your Facebook friends.June was waiting in the principal’s office with Mrs. Lang, a school resource officer, and Detective Rhett Dalton.
She rushed into my arms when I entered.
Detective Dalton explained that Harold Voss had di:ed 18 months earlier. After his de:ath, investigators began reviewing cases he had handled because financial records suggested he had accepted payments from several local organizations, including the Briarwood Children’s Home.
“The contents of this box may be connected to that investigation,” he said. “We have not authenticated everything yet, so what I’m about to tell you is preliminary.”
He showed me copies of property records, bank transfers, and a letter written in Wesley’s handwriting.
Elise,
If this is ever found, believe one thing first: I would never leave you or June willingly.
My grandmother donated the Briarwood property under a remainder trust naming my first child as beneficiary. If the home ever closed or sold the land, the proceeds were to pass to that child.
That child is June.
