A WAITRESS FED THE SAME HOMELESS MAN EVERY NIGHT—ONE DAY, HE WALKED IN WEARING A SUIT
Chapter 4
Three days later, David disappeared.
Emma worried that Richard had found him.
She called the police.
They told her there was nothing they could do.
She called shelters.
Nothing.
For two weeks, the maple tree remained empty.
Emma continued leaving food there anyway.
On the fifteenth night, she found an envelope beneath the tree.
Her name was written on it.
She opened it.
Emma,
If you’re reading this, I’m sorry I left without saying goodbye.
I need to finish something I should have finished twelve years ago.
Don’t look for me.
And thank you for reminding me that not everyone measures a person by what they own.
There was no signature.
Emma folded the letter.
Something felt wrong.
She went back inside.
Paul was counting the cash register.
“You look terrible.”
“Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
Emma hesitated.
“Can I ask you something?”
“What?”
“Do you know anyone at Harrison Capital?”
Paul’s expression changed.
“No.”
“You’re lying.”
He stared at her.
“Emma, stop asking questions.”
“Why?”
“Because people who ask questions around powerful companies sometimes lose more than their jobs.”
Emma stepped closer.
“You know David.”
Paul said nothing.
“Don’t worry. I’m not angry.”
Paul sighed.
“Your father knew him.”
Emma froze.
“My father?”
“Before he died.”
Emma’s father had died when Emma was nineteen.
She knew almost nothing about his business life.
“What did my father have to do with David?”
Paul looked toward the kitchen.
“Your father worked for Harrison Capital.”
Emma’s heart raced.
“No.”
“He was an accountant.”
“Why didn’t I know?”
“Because after David disappeared, your father quit.”
“What did he know?”
Paul lowered his voice.
“He believed David was innocent.”
Emma stared.
“Then why didn’t he say anything?”
“He tried.”
Paul reached beneath the counter.
He handed her a small envelope.
“This was left with me twelve years ago.”
Emma opened it.
Inside was a photograph of David and her father.
On the back, her father had written:
If David ever returns, help him.
Emma looked up.
“Why did you keep this?”
Paul’s eyes filled with regret.
“Because I was afraid.”
That night, Emma made a decision.
If David had gone back to Harrison Capital, she would find out why.
