Released at 24, She Went Back to Her Father’s Old Body Shop — Under the Lift Sat a Welded Trunk
Chapter 4
Daniel entered the shop wearing an expensive coat.
He looked older.
More polished.
More successful.
But Claire recognized the same eyes.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Daniel smiled.
“Welcome home.”
Claire didn’t smile.
“You knew I was here?”
“Small town.”
“That’s not an answer.”
Daniel looked around.
“Dad’s place hasn’t changed.”
Claire watched him carefully.
“Did you come here often after he died?”
“No.”
“You’re lying.”
Daniel’s expression changed.
Ethan stepped forward.
“Maybe you should leave.”
Daniel looked at him.
“You’re still protecting her?”
“Someone has to.”
Daniel laughed.
“Six years in prison didn’t teach you anything, Claire?”
Claire stepped closer.
“No.”
She held up the photograph.
“But Dad did.”
Daniel looked at it.
His face changed.
Only for a second.
But Claire saw it.
“You recognize the SUV.”
Daniel sighed.
“Of course.”
“It was yours.”
“Yes.”
“Why was it here that night?”
Daniel looked at Ethan.
“Can we talk privately?”
“No.”
Daniel lowered his voice.
“You don’t understand what you’re digging into.”
Claire felt a chill.
“Then explain it.”
“I can’t.”
“Why?”
“Because Dad was afraid.”
Claire stared at him.
“My father wasn’t afraid of anyone.”
“He was.”
Daniel looked toward the trunk.
“Especially after he discovered what was happening here.”
“What was happening?”
Daniel shook his head.
“Leave it alone.”
Claire stepped forward.
“You framed me.”
Daniel’s face hardened.
“No.”
“You were here.”
“Yes.”
“You lied.”
“I was trying to protect you.”
Claire laughed.
“You put me in prison.”
Daniel’s eyes filled with something that looked like regret.
“I know.”
Silence.
Then Claire asked:
“Who was in the SUV?”
Daniel looked at the floor.
“I don’t know.”
“You’re lying again.”
Daniel finally looked at her.
“Dad wasn’t killed because of you.”
Claire froze.
“What?”
Daniel whispered:
“He was killed because of what he found.”
Claire’s heart stopped.
“My father died of a heart attack.”
Daniel said nothing.
“Daniel.”
He turned toward the door.
Before leaving, he said:
“Ask Sheriff Reed why the original autopsy disappeared.”
Then he walked outside.
Claire stood frozen.
Ethan looked at her.
“Your father’s death wasn’t natural?”
Claire shook her head.
“I don’t know anymore.”
Then she looked at the trunk.
“Let’s find out.”
