I told my oldest daughter I had to step out and asked her to watch her sisters. I didn’t mention the note—or where I was going. I didn’t tell Aaron either.
The drive to the cabin felt longer than ever. When I passed the memorial cross, my chest tightened painfully.
When I arrived, I hesitated at the door before forcing myself inside.
The air was stale, the furniture untouched—but something felt off.
There wasn’t enough dust.
Someone had been there.
My stomach dropped.
I pulled back the rug and noticed a loose floorboard. When I lifted it, I found a hidden compartment containing a recording device sealed in a plastic bag.
My hands shook as I turned it on.
Then Ben’s voice filled the room.
“If you’re hearing this, something went wrong. I didn’t want to bring this up at home, not around the kids. Aaron is in serious trouble… worse than he admits. I discovered he altered a case report last year. If it comes out, his career is finished… maybe more.”
