Sarah had studied what Marcus needed and became it.

And he had never once imagined that the woman who seemed to honor his dead wife so gently might also be quietly working against his living daughter.

Chapter 5 — Somewhere Else

“That someday,” Lily whispered, in answer to his question, “you’ll understand I need to live somewhere else.”

Marcus swallowed.

“Where, sweetheart?”

“I don’t know.

She says if I tell you about the juice, you’ll believe her videos, and think I’m making things up.”

Later, Marcus would realize that this was among the most disturbing details of all.

Sarah had prepared Lily in advance to expect that her own father would not believe her.

She had told the child that if she spoke about the juice, the recordings would be used against her.

It was the strategy of someone who had considered the possibility of discovery and built protection against it.