Chapter 3 - The Coat with the Sewn-In Name
The next morning Walter bought a bus ticket with money Maria insisted he accept.
He hated taking it.
“You can pay me back when this is over,” she said.
“What if it never is?”
“Then you owe me a cup of tea.”
Nina met him at the clinic. She had spent the night reviewing public records.
The fire had occurred in a rental house owned by Caroline’s foundation. The official report said three people died, but only one death had been confirmed through independent identification.
“Who?” Walter asked.
“A maintenance worker named Daniel Price.”
Walter felt the room tilt.
“And Grace?”
“The records are sealed or incomplete.”
“The children?”
“Same problem.”
Nina slid a second document toward him. Caroline had obtained temporary guardianship of Eli and Rosie four years earlier, claiming their mother had abandoned them.
“Four years?” Walter said. “She told me they died seven years ago.”
“Yes.”
“So Grace was alive after the fire.”
“That is a reasonable possibility. It isn't proof of where she is now.”
Walter gripped the table.
Nina continued, “I’ve contacted child protective services about what you witnessed. We can request a welfare check. Please don’t go to the house yourself.”
He promised.
He broke that promise by lunchtime.
Not to confront Caroline. Just to see the house.
He stood across the street while snow gathered on his shoulders.
A school bus stopped. Eli got off alone.
The boy saw Walter immediately.
For a moment neither moved.
Then Eli crossed the street.
“You shouldn't be here.”
“I know.”
“She said you're dangerous.”
“Do you believe her?”
Eli studied his face.
“No.”
Walter noticed the boy’s coat had a torn lining. Inside, near the collar, a faded label showed careful blue stitches.
ELIJAH REED.
Grace had sewn that label.
Walter remembered sitting beside her at the kitchen table while she complained that school lost everything.
“Where did you get that coat?”
Eli touched the collar. “My mom made it.”
Walter’s throat closed.
“Your mom was Grace?”
Eli nodded.
“Do you remember her?”
“A little. She sang when she washed dishes.”
Walter closed his eyes.
Grace used to sing off-key and laugh when he complained.
Eli looked frightened. “Why are you crying?”
Walter knelt carefully.
“Because I knew your mother.”
“How?”
“I’m her father.”
Eli stared.
“My grandpa died.”
“Who told you?”
“Aunt Caroline.”
Walter took out the photograph.
Eli recognized the brick house. His mouth opened.
“That’s Mom.”
“Yes.”
“That’s me.”
“Yes.”
“Who took it?”
“I did.”
Eli backed away.
“No. This is a trick.”
Walter did not reach for him.
“You don't have to believe me today.”
A car turned onto the street.
Eli flinched.
“Go!”
Walter stepped back as Caroline’s SUV approached.
She braked hard.
“What did I tell you?”
Eli looked at the ground.
Walter stood straight.
“I know about the guardianship.”
Caroline’s expression hardened.
“You’re trespassing.”
“I’m on a public sidewalk.”
“You’re harassing a child.”
“Then call the police.”
She stared at him.
He held up his phone.
“I already did.”
A patrol car arrived minutes later, responding to Nina’s welfare report. Caroline instantly became gracious.
“Officer, this man has been frightening my nephew.”
Walter described the slap and the boy’s statement about his sister.
Eli stood between them, trembling.
The officer asked him whether he felt safe at home.
Eli looked at Caroline.
She smiled.
“Tell the truth, sweetheart.”
He whispered, “Yes.”
Walter's heart sank.
The officer explained that the report would be documented and referred for follow-up. He could not simply remove children based on this conversation.
Caroline led Eli inside.
At the door, the boy turned.
He mouthed two words.
Find Rosie.
Walter understood.
Then Caroline shut the door.
That evening, Nina called.
“The school confirms Eli has been absent repeatedly. Rosie isn’t enrolled anywhere.”
“She's six.”
“I know.”
“Can you get someone there tonight?”
“I’m escalating it.”
Walter looked at the photograph.
“What if Caroline moves them?”
Nina was silent.
Then she said, “Walter, there's something else. A hospital social worker returned my call.”
“About Grace?”
“Yes.”
“Is she alive?”
“I don’t know yet. But someone using her name was admitted to a psychiatric facility three months after the fire.”
May you like
Walter sat down.
“And the person who authorized her admission,” Nina said, “was Caroline Mercer.”
