Three Years Later
Chapter 15 - Three Years Later
Three years after that terrifying afternoon in her bedroom, Chloe stood on stage at her school's annual talent showcase, performing a piano piece she'd been practicing for months, considerably more confident than the trembling girl who had once closed a door and clutched a recital bag with shaking hands.
Harrison watched from the audience, feeling a specific, overwhelming pride that extended considerably beyond the piano performance itself, understanding exactly how far his daughter had traveled since that terrible, courageous afternoon.
Carla sat beside him, having become an even more permanent fixture in their daily lives over the preceding three years, the three of them building something considerably closer to a genuine, complete family than Harrison had believed possible during the darkest months of the investigation.
After the performance, Chloe found her father backstage, beaming with the specific pride of a child who had worked hard for something and watched it pay off completely.
"You were incredible up there," Harrison said, pulling her into a hug.
"I used to be so scared of everyone watching me," Chloe admitted. "I think finding the locket, telling you the truth even though I was terrified, taught me something about being brave that I still use, every single time I'm nervous now."
Harrison felt his throat tighten with emotion, understanding that the worst chapter of both their lives had ultimately taught his daughter a lesson about courage that would likely serve her for the rest of her life.
Detective Delgado, who had remained a friendly, occasional presence in their lives since the case concluded, attended the showcase as well, having grown genuinely fond of the family over the course of the investigation.
"I think about this case often," she told Harrison, during the reception afterward. "Not just professionally. I think about how much courage it took, from both of you, to actually follow the truth all the way through, regardless of how devastating it turned out to be."
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"I don't think we had much choice," Harrison said. "Once Chloe found that locket, I don't think either of us could have simply looked away from what it meant."
"Some people do exactly that anyway," Delgado said. "I've seen it happen. I'm glad neither of you did."
