Chapter 8 - THE MISSING BOY
Rosa collapsed when she learned her son was missing.
“No.”
“No, no, no.”
She tried to run from the police station, but Park caught her gently.
“We will find him.”
“You do not understand Vanessa.”
“She does not threaten people unless she is ready to act.”
Park showed Rosa the school records.
The person who signed out her son had used Daniel Whitmore’s name.
Security footage showed a man in a baseball cap escorting the teenager into a gray vehicle.
Daniel was still inside the police station when the alert reached him.
He stared at the signature.
“They are using my identity again.”
Cole placed a map on the interview-room table.
“Does the vehicle look familiar?”
Daniel studied the image.
“It belongs to one of the foundation’s medical clinics.”
“Which clinic?”
“The closed rehabilitation center in Westhaven.”
“It has been empty for two years.”
Police units were sent immediately.
At the hospital, Emma refused to remain uninvolved.
She called Rosa directly.
“I am sorry.”
Rosa’s voice broke.
“This is not your fault.”
“They took him because I told the truth.”
“They took him because Vanessa is desperate.”
Emma looked at the threatening message again.
“She wants me to withdraw my accusation before sunset.”
Rosa began crying.
“Then do it.”
Emma closed her eyes.
“If I withdraw it, she will still control us.”
“She will still have your son.”
“She will still have the evidence she needs to destroy Daniel.”
Rosa struggled to breathe.
Emma softened her voice.
“We are going to get him back.”
“How?”
“By giving Vanessa what she thinks she wants.”
Emma contacted Cole.
“I will send Vanessa a message.”
“No,” he said immediately.
“She wants me to publicly admit I lied.”
“And we are not giving her that.”
“We do not need to.”
Emma explained her idea.
She would tell Vanessa she had hidden the original financial ledger inside the old rehabilitation center.
Vanessa knew Emma had met Thomas Bell shortly before his death.
She would believe Thomas had given Emma the ledger.
“If she is controlling the kidnapping, she will send someone to search the building.”
“And that person will lead us to Rosa’s son,” Emma said.
Cole disliked the risk.
But they had little time.
Emma sent the message.
I will withdraw everything.
The original ledger is hidden in Westhaven.
Release the boy and I will tell you where.
Vanessa replied within one minute.
Come alone.
Emma typed slowly.
I am in the hospital.
Daniel will go.
Daniel read the exchange at the station.
Cole looked at him.
“This could be a trap.”
Daniel removed his jacket.
“It is a trap.”
“But I am still going.”
Park secured a tracking device beneath his shirt.
Officers fitted him with a microphone.
Rosa caught Daniel’s arm before he left.
“Bring my son home.”
Daniel looked into her terrified eyes.
“I will.”
At sunset, he entered the abandoned rehabilitation center alone.
The lobby was dark.
Broken glass covered the floor.
“Vanessa?” he called.
A speaker hidden somewhere above him crackled.
His sister’s voice filled the building.
“You finally chose your wife.”
Daniel turned slowly.
“Where is the boy?”
Vanessa laughed.
“You always ask the wrong question.”
May you like
A steel door slammed shut behind him.
Then smoke began pouring from the hallway vents.
