Chapter 4 - THE GIRL WHO WASN'T IN THE FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS
Valentino stared at the photograph.
Becca stood beside him.
"Four children?"
He shook his head.
"Impossible."
The photograph showed the summer-house terrace.
Isabella stood near the doors.
The triplets played beside a fountain.
And near the garden wall stood another child.
A little girl.
Approximately eight years old.
Her face was turned away.
"Who is she?" Becca asked.
Valentino studied the image.
"I don't know."
He called Marco.
"Find out who took this photograph."
Marco examined it.
Then said:
"Could be altered."
Valentino nodded.
"Then have it authenticated."
The next morning, Becca found Nova drawing again.
Four circles.
Three connected.
One separated.
Becca sat beside her.
"Would you like to tell me about your picture?"
Nova shook her head.
Then pointed to the fourth circle.
Her hand trembled.
Luna moved closer.
She placed her finger over the circle.
Then whispered:
"Annie."
Becca kept her voice gentle.
"Is Annie someone you remember?"
Luna nodded.
"Was she your friend?"
Another nod.
Stella suddenly covered her ears.
"No fire."
Becca froze.
The girls began crying.
She stopped asking questions immediately.
Dr. Chen was called.
Together, they helped the girls settle.
Later, Becca told Valentino.
"There's a name."
He looked up.
"Who?"
"Annie."
Valentino went still.
"Annie?" he repeated.
Becca nodded.
His expression changed.
He walked toward the window.
Then whispered:
"Isabella once mentioned a girl named Annie."
Becca stared.
"Who was she?"
Valentino closed his eyes.
"A child she wanted to help."
He turned back.
"But Isabella told me the girl had been placed with another family."
Becca looked at the photograph.
May you like
Then at Valentino.
"Maybe she wasn't."
