Chapter 16 - THE CHILD THEY PLANNED TO STEALThe adoption file belonged to a young mother named Julia Bennett.
Julia was nineteen and seven months pregnant.
She had contacted a private agency after losing her job and apartment.
The agency promised financial support in exchange for placing her baby with a wealthy family.
But the agency did not legally exist.
Damian had created it through a shell company.
Vanessa planned to take Julia’s child after delivery and present the baby as Nathan’s.
The forged documents would list Vanessa as the mother.
Nathan would have no reason to question the child’s identity.
Ethan and Caroline met Julia at a women’s shelter.
She was frightened and embarrassed.
“I thought they were helping me,” Julia said.
“They paid for my doctor and gave me a place to stay.”
“Did you meet Vanessa?” Ethan asked.
Julia nodded.
“She used another name.”
Julia identified Vanessa from a photograph.
She explained that Vanessa had chosen the hospital and demanded a private delivery.
The baby was due in nine weeks.
Vanessa’s fake pregnancy timeline matched exactly.
Caroline took Julia’s hand.
“You have not done anything wrong.”
Julia began crying.
“They said I would never see the baby after the birth.”
“They will not be allowed near you,” Caroline promised.
Police placed Julia under protection.
The investigation now involved attempted child trafficking, medical fraud, and conspiracy.
Damian’s network was larger than anyone realized.
Several employees at the false adoption agency were arrested.
One agreed to cooperate.
She revealed that Damian had reserved a private aircraft under another name.
The plane was scheduled to leave from a small airfield north of Chicago.
Police reached the airfield before departure.
They found Damian inside a hangar.
He was carrying two passports and nearly four million dollars in cash.
Vanessa was not with him.
Damian demanded an attorney.
He refused to explain where she had gone.
Nathan visited him in custody.
The meeting took place behind thick glass.
“You used me,” Nathan said.
Damian smiled.
“I gave you an opportunity.”
“To destroy my life?”
“You did that yourself.”
Nathan did not deny it.
“Where is Vanessa?”
Damian leaned toward the glass.
“She isn’t running anymore.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means she finally understood that you will never give her what she wants.”
Nathan’s face tightened.
“What does she want?”
Damian’s smile faded.
“Everything you still love.”
At that same moment, the security alarm at Caroline’s apartment stopped responding.
Ethan called her.
She did not answer.
When police entered the apartment, they found the door open.
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Caroline’s phone lay on the floor.
A single silver pin had been pushed through the screen.
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