Chapter 4 - The Lies He Helped Her Tell
The police searched for Tasha Bell and Andre Collins.
Investigators traced payments, reviewed security footage from businesses near the catering kitchen, and examined the company vehicles.
A neighboring warehouse camera had recorded Tasha driving away shortly after Emma opened the freezer.
Investigators also began checking locations connected to Andre.
Meanwhile, the Carter family's private tragedy became public.
A local news station reported that a woman missing for seven months had been discovered alive inside a locked commercial freezer.
The story spread quickly.
People speculated about Elijah.
Some accused him of participating in his wife's disappearance.
Others questioned how he could begin dating his wife's former bookkeeper only months after Naomi vanished.
Elijah's phone filled with messages.
Several catering clients canceled upcoming events.
An inspection of the commercial kitchen led to temporary restrictions while authorities examined the dangerous freezer-lock arrangement and other safety concerns.
Elijah didn't protest.
The same building he had spent years developing had become the place where his daughter nearly watched her mother die.
He had more important things to worry about than canceled bookings.
But guilt followed him everywhere.
At home, he found Emma sitting on the carpet, arranging her stuffed animals in a circle.
One empty chair stood beside them.
"What's that for?" he asked.
Emma didn't look up.
"Mommy."
Elijah sat beside her.
"Your mom is getting stronger."
Emma continued adjusting the toys.
"Are you going to tell me she's leaving again?"
His throat tightened.
"No."
"You said she didn't want us."
Elijah looked at his daughter's hands.
"I was wrong."
Emma stopped moving.
"Why didn't you believe me?"
He searched for an answer that wouldn't burden her with the failures of adults.
"I thought I knew what happened. I should have listened when you told me something was wrong."
Emma's voice became very small.
"I heard Mommy crying. I knew it was her."
Elijah nodded.
"You were right."
She turned toward him.
"Then why did Tasha say I was crazy?"
Elijah closed his eyes.
Because Tasha had needed everyone to believe Emma was mistaken.
Because he had accepted explanations that were easier than frightening possibilities.
Because he had allowed his daughter's grief to become something he corrected instead of something he listened to.
"She lied to you," Elijah finally said. "And I should have protected you from that."
Emma stared at the empty chair.
"Will Mommy be scared when she comes home?"
"Maybe."
"Can we help her?"
Elijah moved closer.
"Yes. But we have to let her tell us what she needs."
Emma nodded.
For the first time in days, she leaned against her father's shoulder.
Elijah didn't mistake the gesture for forgiveness.
He simply held her.
At the hospital, Naomi was facing a different struggle.
She hated closed doors.
She woke repeatedly during the night, convinced she could hear Andre approaching.
When a nurse entered quietly to check her blood pressure, Naomi recoiled before recognizing her.
Doctors explained that recovery would involve more than treating her physical injuries.
Naomi would need time, safety, and sustained psychological support.
Denise stayed with her whenever visiting hours allowed.
One afternoon, Elijah arrived carrying Emma's latest drawing.
He stopped at the doorway.
Naomi sat by the window with a blanket over her knees.
She looked at him.
Neither spoke.
Finally, he said, "I brought something from Emma."
He placed the drawing on the nearby table.
It showed three stick figures holding hands beneath a yellow sun.
But the little figure representing Naomi stood behind a large blue door.
Naomi studied it for a long time.
Then she asked, "Did you really believe I would leave her?"
Elijah sat down.
"At first, no."
Naomi looked at him.
"I searched for you," he continued. "I called everyone. I filed the missing-person report. I drove to places I thought you might have gone."
"What changed?"
He swallowed.
"The messages. The bank withdrawals. Tasha kept telling me you wanted to start over."
"And you believed her?"
"Eventually."
Naomi looked out the window.
"I spent every day thinking about Emma."
"I know."
"No, Elijah. You don't."
He lowered his head.
She continued.
"I counted birthdays I might miss. I wondered if she was eating breakfast. I worried she would think I stopped loving her."
Her voice shook.
"And all that time, you were bringing that woman into our home."
Elijah had no defense.
"I'm sorry."
Naomi wiped her cheek.
"I believe you're sorry. I don't know what that means for us yet."
He nodded.
"I understand."
Before leaving, Elijah placed a sealed envelope beside the drawing.
Inside were copies of the financial records he had found, along with a written statement acknowledging everything he had authorized without properly reviewing it.
"I gave the originals and the computer to the investigators," he explained.
Naomi looked at the envelope.
"Even the documents with your signature?"
"Especially those."
For the first time, she studied him without immediately looking away.
Elijah stood.
"I don't expect you to trust me because I say I'm sorry."
He paused.
"I want to start doing the things I should have done seven months ago."
Naomi didn't answer.
May you like
But after he left, she opened the envelope.
And for the first time since being rescued, she saw evidence that the people who had held her might finally be unable to hide what they had done.
