Chapter 2 - THE SIGNATURE OF A DEAD WOMANEmma stared at the paper.
Her hands began shaking.
“That’s not possible.”
Dr. Monroe looked at her gently.
“I know.”
Olivia’s expression changed from smugness to confusion.
Principal Collins looked like he might be sick.
Superintendent Grant asked:
“Who processed this?”
Collins said:
“I’d have to check.”
“No.”
Dr. Monroe closed the folder.
“You’ve already checked.”
His silence answered.
Students began whispering.
Emma wiped another streak of food from her face.
Her heart was beating too hard.
Her mother, Laura, had died from pancreatic cancer when Emma was twelve.
Everyone at school knew Emma lived with her father.
The school had copies of custody records.
Emergency contacts.
Death certificate.
There was no legitimate reason a form should carry Laura Bennett’s signature.
Dr. Monroe turned toward Emma.
“We need to get you cleaned up.”
Emma shook her head.
“No.”
The adults paused.
“I want to know what happened.”
Superintendent Grant looked at her carefully.
“You will.”
“Now.”
Emma surprised herself.
She normally avoided confrontation.
But something had shifted.
Maybe it was the food dripping from her hair.
Maybe the phones.
Maybe seeing her dead mother’s name turned into paperwork.
Whatever fear she had carried for months was changing into anger.
Dr. Monroe nodded.
“Then we’ll explain what we know.”
Olivia interrupted.
“This has nothing to do with me.”
Dr. Monroe looked at her.
“It may have more to do with you than you realize.”
May you like
That frightened Olivia.
Good.
