Part 3Inheriting Her Secrets And Her Daughter

I knelt so I was eye-level with her. "What exactly did your mom tell you?"

She watched me, her pupils dark and vast. "She said you have a sharp tongue but a soft heart." She paused. "She said you make the best beef stew."

The shouting downstairs was getting louder. Justin’s voice cracked as he hit the landing. "Junie! Get out of there right now!"

The girl didn't move. She glanced at the envelope in my hand, then back at me.

"You should take those," she said. "She wrote them for you."

"How do you know they're for me?"

"She wrote every night." The girl pointed to the drawer. "She’d finish one and put it in there. She’s been doing it for six months."

I pulled the drawer open further. It was packed with envelopes, all stacked neatly, each marked with a date.

Justin burst into the room, Susie’s mother right behind him.

"Junie!" Justin grabbed her arm, yanking her back. "What are you doing? Come to Daddy."

Daddy?

The girl stumbled, but she didn't make a sound. She just looked at me—not for help, but with a strange, analytical gaze. Like she was verifying a fact.

"Justin," I said, standing up. "Is she yours?"

Justin pulled the girl behind him. "She’s my daughter. What’s it to you? You want to try and steal her, too?"

"I’m not trying to steal anything," I said. "I’m just wondering why Susie’s will didn't mention her."

Justin’s face went stiff.

Susie’s mother stepped in, her voice frantic. "The girl belongs with Justin. They just hadn't finalized the paperwork yet. You don't put things like that in a will."

"Is that right?" I looked at the girl peeking out from behind Justin's leg. "What’s your name, kid?"

She opened her mouth, but Justin clamped a hand over it. "Stop talking to him! This is none of your business!"

"Did you and Susie ever get married?" I asked.

Justin didn't say a word.

"No," I answered for him. "And if you aren't married, how is she on the birth certificate? Whose last name does she have?"

Susie’s mother looked at Justin, her eyes darting nervously.

Justin gritted his teeth. "This is a family matter. Take your money and get out before I call the police."

Junie twisted out of his grip and stepped back toward me. Justin’s face turned a sickly shade of gray. "Junie!"

The girl looked up at me. "My name is Daisy. My mom picked it."

"Daisy," I repeated. "Your mom picked it?"

She nodded.

"Was she married to him?"

She shook her head.

"Then who’s your father?"

She looked at Justin, then went silent.

Justin lunged for her again, this time with force. His fingers dug into her small arm. Daisy winced, but she didn't cry out.

"Let her go," I said.

"Why should I?"

"Because you're hurting her."

"She’s my daughter. I’ll do what I want."

I stared at him. He stared back, his eyes bloodshot, his composure crumbling.

Susie’s mother started pulling on his sleeve. "Justin, honey, let’s go downstairs. Let’s just let him leave."

Justin dragged Daisy toward the door, but she suddenly looked back at me.

"My mom said if she died, I was supposed to be with you." Her voice wasn't loud, but it cut through the room like a blade.

Justin froze.

Susie’s mother froze.

I stood there, paralyzed.

"Shut up!" Justin hissed. "Your mother was drunk when she said that. She didn't mean it."

Daisy ignored him. She just kept her eyes on mine. "Will you take me?"