Chapter 7 - THE LETTER FROM NOVA SCOTIA
Sarah Mitchell contacted Canadian authorities through appropriate legal channels.
The investigation into Thomas Carter's disappearance expanded.
Two weeks later, a retired nurse from Nova Scotia came forward.
Her name was Helen McBride.
She had worked at a private rehabilitation facility in 2015.
She remembered a patient admitted under the name Daniel Reed.
A man with a head injury.
Memory problems.
And recurring nightmares.
He had spoken repeatedly about a wife named Margaret.
And a daughter named Elena.
Helen had tried to contact the family.
But the facility's administrator told her the patient had no living relatives.
She kept a copy of a letter the man had written.
It was never mailed.
Sarah obtained the letter with Helen's cooperation.
Elena read it in her apartment.
My darling Elena,
I don't know whether this letter will reach you.
Some days I remember everything.
Other days I cannot remember my own name.
But I remember your laugh.
I remember the yellow bicycle you wanted for your birthday.
And I remember promising to teach you how to swim.
Elena began crying.
The letter continued.
If you ever find this, please know I did not leave you willingly.
Elena pressed the paper against her chest.
For thirteen years, she had believed her father was dead.
Now she knew he had lived.
At least for a time.
She called Sarah.
“Find him.”
Her voice broke.
“Please.”
Sarah answered gently.
“We're trying.”
Elena looked toward the window.
May you like
Then whispered:
“Dad, where are you?”
