In 1990, their daughter went missing during her prom night, and after 22 years, her father discovered an ancient yearbook that left him in shock upon spotting something astonishing inside. …

Why are you asking me?» Samuel replied defensively. «I was never her boyfriend and never attached to her. I told the police that back then, and I don’t like being asked about it again.»

John was puzzled by the intensity of Samuel’s reaction. «I didn’t say you were her boyfriend. I just heard you were close at some point.

If we talked in school, it was probably because I borrowed money from her or asked for homework help,» Samuel said dismissively. «I always paid back what I took. There were never any issues between us.

I told the police everything then.» Despite his casual words, John noticed Samuel’s body language growing tenser. He shifted from foot to foot, his eyes darting as if checking if anyone was watching…

«I don’t understand why you’re suddenly showing up at my house with these questions,» Samuel continued. «I have a reputation to uphold now. I don’t want some reporter or people seeing us together and starting rumors.»

Before John could respond, Samuel turned and quickly walked back toward the house. «You’d better leave,» he called over his shoulder. «I have nothing more to say about Mary.»

John stood stunned by the encounter. Samuel’s reaction seemed disproportionate to his simple question. Why would a successful businessman be so defensive about a brief high school friendship from over two decades ago? As Samuel disappeared inside, John slowly returned to his car.

His hands trembled slightly as he gripped the steering wheel. He felt foolish and ashamed for coming here, for pushing when Nancy had asked him to let go of the past. «What was I thinking!» he muttered to himself.

«I promised Nancy we’d close this chapter today, not reopen old wounds.» He started the car, casting one last glance at Samuel’s house before driving away. If Nancy found out he’d come here instead of helping clean at home, she’d be hurt and angry.

John had allowed himself to get sucked back into the whirlpool of questions and possibilities that consumed the early years after Mary’s disappearance. Driving back into town, John tried to convince himself to let it go. Samuel’s hostile reaction was probably nothing more than annoyance at having his Sunday interrupted by a reminder of a tragic event from his youth.

Anyone would feel uncomfortable being suddenly questioned about a missing person case after so many years. But something about Samuel’s defensiveness wouldn’t let John rest. It seemed excessive, almost panicked.

Was it just surprise from the unexpected conversation? Or was there more? John shook his head, forcing himself to focus on the road. He had promised Nancy they would move forward today. He needed to keep that promise and stop chasing ghosts from the past.

Driving back into town, John kept thinking about the strange encounter with Samuel Levine. The man’s hostility was unexpected and alarming. John knew he should head home to his wife, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d stumbled onto something important.

Almost unconsciously, he turned toward the memorial funeral home in Misty Ridge. If he and Nancy were truly going to close this chapter of their lives, perhaps it was time to consider a formal memorial service for Mary, even without a body to bury. The funeral home was quiet when John entered.

A soft-spoken woman at the desk greeted him and, after hearing his purpose, provided brochures detailing services and prices. John thanked her and returned to his car with the brochures in hand. As he opened the car door, he noticed movement across the street.

Samuel Levine was heading into a hardware store. A few minutes later, he emerged at the checkout, holding a shovel and a small wooden box. John froze.

His gaze fixed on Samuel as he loaded the items into his car. John ducked into his own car, not wanting to be seen. Through the rearview mirror, he watched Samuel enter the flower shop next to the hardware store.

A few minutes later, Samuel exited carrying a bouquet of white hyacinths. White hyacinths—Mary’s favorite flowers. A chill ran down John’s spine.

Of course, it could be a coincidence. Many people like white hyacinths, but combined with Samuel’s behavior and the shovel. John’s heart pounded as Samuel placed the flowers in his car and drove off.

Without allowing himself to think of the consequences, John started his car and followed at a safe distance. Samuel drove through town, then turned onto the road leading to Windy Cliff, an area known for its dramatic views of the river and a few scattered cabins on the hilly slope. John kept back, not wanting to be spotted.

Eventually, Samuel turned onto a private driveway leading to a small cabin perched on the cliff’s edge. John drove past, then parked farther up the road where trees provided cover. He watched as Samuel unlocked the cabin door and went inside.

A few minutes later, Samuel emerged carrying a water canister. He placed it in a small garden cart along with the shovel, wooden box, and bouquet of white hyacinths. Samuel began walking away from the cabin, following a narrow path toward the cliff’s edge.

John got out of his car and moved through the bushes down the slope toward the cabin, staying hidden among the trees. A growing inner urge propelled him forward. John waited until Samuel was a good distance away before cautiously following…