Chapter 5: The Box
Renee stopped crying.
The transformation was immediate.
Her shoulders straightened.
Her expression became cold.
“Monique,” she said quietly, “where is it?””
Monique didn't answer.
Derrick stepped between them.
“Where is what?””
Renee ignored him.
“Where is the box?””
Aaliyah looked at her.
“You knew about it?””
Renee's eyes flicked toward her.
“No.””
Monique shook her head.
“You just proved you did.””
Detective Harris picked up the silver key.
“We found this in an evidence locker.””
Derrick frowned.
“Why would police have it?””
“Because it was recovered from the original investigation.””
“Then why wasn't it given to us?””
The detective looked at Renee.
“Because someone removed it from the evidence inventory.””
Renee's face tightened.
Derrick whispered, “You.””
“I didn't.””
“You just asked where the box was.””
Renee turned toward him.
“Because she's lying.””
Monique laughed.
“You're getting nervous.””
“You're trying to destroy my family.””
“I’m trying to give my daughter her life back.””
Aaliyah looked at both women.
“My life?””
She pointed at the evidence folder.
“You've both been talking about me like I'm something you own.””
Neither woman answered.
Aaliyah's voice broke.
“I want the truth.””
Monique nodded.
“You deserve it.””
She looked at Detective Harris.
“Show her.””
The detective pulled a photograph from a second evidence sleeve.
It showed a small metal storage box.
Aaliyah stared at it.
“That?””
Monique nodded.
“That's mine.””
“When was this taken?””
“Twenty-two years ago.””
Aaliyah studied the picture.
The box had a small brass plate attached to the lid.
Three letters were engraved into it.
*A.C.M.*
Aaliyah frowned.
“What does that mean?””
Monique's eyes softened.
“Your initials.””
Aaliyah blinked.
“My initials?””
“Aaliyah Carter Monique.””
Derrick looked at Monique.
“You planned for her to have it?””
“I planned for her to know who she was.””
Renee suddenly stepped forward.
“She was two years old.””
Monique looked at her.
“She was my daughter.””
“She couldn't understand any of this.””
“She would someday.””
Renee shook her head.
“You never came back.””
“I tried.””
“You ran.””
“I was threatened.””
“By whom?””
Monique didn't answer.
Derrick stared at her.
“By whom?””
Monique looked at him.
“Your wife knows.””
Derrick turned.
Renee's face had gone pale again.
“Renee?””
She shook her head.
“No.””
“You said you wanted the truth.””
“I said I wanted to protect you.””
“From whom?””
Renee's eyes moved toward Aaliyah.
“From what she would find.””
Aaliyah felt cold.
“What would I find?””
Renee didn't answer.
Aaliyah stepped closer.
“Tell me.””
Renee whispered, “Your birth certificate.””
Aaliyah frowned.
“What about it?””
Monique closed her eyes.
Derrick stared at her.
“You told me she was yours.””
“She is.””
“No. I mean the certificate.””
Monique opened her eyes.
“The original certificate listed my name.””
Derrick looked confused.
“It should have.””
“It also listed another name.””
Aaliyah's heart began pounding.
“Whose?””
Monique hesitated.
Before she could speak, Renee said:
“Mine.””
The word seemed to stop the room.
Derrick stared at her.
“You're not her mother.””
Renee's eyes filled.
“No.””
Aaliyah whispered, “Then why was your name on my birth certificate?””
Renee looked directly at her.
“Because I made sure it was.””
Detective Harris stepped forward.
“That document was altered.””
Aaliyah turned.
“How?””
“The hospital record was changed.””
“By who?””
The detective looked toward Renee.
“We believe someone inside the hospital assisted.””
Renee shook her head.
“You can't prove that.””
“We can now.””
He lifted another sealed bag.
Inside was a handwritten hospital authorization form.
Aaliyah couldn't read all of it from where she stood.
But one thing was clear.
A signature appeared at the bottom.
Renee Walker.
Derrick stared at it.
“You weren't even married to me yet.””
Renee looked down.
“I knew you before you knew me.””
Aaliyah's voice trembled.
“How?””
Renee looked at Monique.
Monique answered.
“They worked together.””
Derrick turned.
“Who?””
“Your father.””
Derrick's face changed.
“My father?””
Monique nodded.
“Your father knew Renee long before she entered this family.””
Renee whispered, “Stop.””
Aaliyah looked at her.
“Why?””
“Because you don't understand what he did.””
Derrick stepped forward.
“What did my father do?””
Renee backed away.
“I can't.””
“You're going to tell me.””
“No.””
“Renee.””
She shook her head.
Then the auditorium doors opened again.
A man in a gray suit walked in.
He was elderly.
He carried a black leather briefcase.
He stopped when he saw Monique.
His face went white.
Monique stared at him.
Then she whispered:
“That's him.””
Derrick turned.
“Who?””
May you like
Monique pointed at the old man.
“The man who told me I'd never see my daughter again.””
