Page 59 of In the Dead of Night

“After you guys left, I went into my father’s loft. It’s an office of sorts he hasn’t used for years. I was going through the desk, and I found a manuscript.”

The hairs at her neck prickled. “What kind of manuscript?”

“Well, it’s sort of a true-crime book. Not quite finished. I started to read, but the damn thing chilled me to the bone. Scared the hell out of me, in fact.”

“Who’s the author?”

“Nicholas Tyson collaborating with Richard and Alexandra Douglas.”

Sara’s heart was beating so hard that for a moment she couldn’t speak. “My parents.”

“The authors contend that my father was a monster.” He choked out the words as if they were poison. “There’s got to be some kind of mistake. I’d like to clear it up before this gets into the wrong hands. There’s no way he did the things the authors insinuate.”

“I’d like to see the manuscript.”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. It’s pretty…inflammatory. I’ve already taken a copy to my lawyer, but I wanted the police to see it, too. I’m disputing all of it. And I’ll sue to protect my father.”

Sara’s mind whirled with ways she might be able to gain his cooperation. “I can meet you at the police station.”

He sighed. “I can’t talk to the police until I’ve heard from my lawyer.”

“Mr. Stocker, I want to see the manuscript.”

He sighed. “Look, I’m about an hour from Cape Darkwood. I can meet you.”

It surprised her that he would make the drive without calling first. But she imagined the contents of the manuscript had rattled him badly. To discover the man who’d raised you was a killer…

Sara glanced at her watch. Not yet seven o’clock. “It’s still early. Most of the restaurants and cafés in town are only open for lunch.” Her mind spun through alternate meeting places. She didn’t want him at Nick’s. “I can meet you at my parents’ home.” She rattled off directions.

“I expect strict confidentiality,” he said. “I don’t want to destroy my father’s reputation over unfounded rumors and hearsay.”

Sara thought of the eight-millimeter tape she and Nick had watched. “All I want to do is find the truth.”

“I can live with that.” He paused. “I can be there in about an hour.”

“See you then,” Sara said and disconnected.