Chapter 5 - THE SECOND PHONE
At midnight, the police finished searching Vanessa’s belongings.
They found three passports.
Two were issued under different names.
They also found a key to a storage facility near the abandoned eastern rail yard.
The most important discovery came from the lining of her handbag.
A second phone had been sewn beneath the leather.
Detective Reyes placed the device inside a signal-blocking pouch.
“She planned for someone to search her.”
Arthur stood beside the study fireplace.
“Can you open it?”
“Eventually.”
Reyes glanced toward Bella, who was sleeping on the library sofa.
“But the police lab may take weeks.”
Arthur took out his own phone.
“You have twelve hours.”
Reyes almost smiled.
“You still think money can order time.”
“No.”
Arthur looked at the sleeping child.
“I think someone who burned my daughter may have warned the person who killed my wife.”
Reyes left with the device.
Sarah remained behind because Bella refused to release her hand.
Arthur brought a first-aid kit and treated the burn across Sarah’s skin.
His movements were careful.
He did not speak until the bandage was secured.
“Your mother is receiving treatment at Green Valley Dialysis Center.”
Sarah pulled her hand away.
“How do you know that?”
“I reviewed your employment file after Vanessa mentioned her.”
Sarah’s expression hardened.
“You had no right.”
“You’re correct.”
Arthur sat across from her.
“I wanted to know whether Vanessa had access to the information.”
“She did.”
Sarah felt cold.
“What does that mean?”
“It means your mother may be in danger.”
Sarah stood.
“I’m going to her.”
“A security team will take you.”
“I don’t need your permission.”
“No.”
Arthur rose as well.
“But you need protection.”
Before Sarah could answer, her phone rang.
The number belonged to the dialysis clinic.
A nurse told her that someone claiming to be Sarah had requested an emergency transfer for her mother.
A private ambulance was already on the way.
Sarah’s breath stopped.
“I never requested a transfer.”
The nurse became silent.
“Ms. Collins, the paperwork has your signature.”
Arthur took the phone.
“Do not release Mrs. Collins to anyone.”
He signaled to Marcus.
“Lock down the clinic.”
Marcus hurried toward the door.
Sarah grabbed her coat.
Bella woke immediately.
She sat up with fear in her eyes.
“Sarah?”
It was the clearest word she had spoken.
Sarah turned back.
Bella reached for her.
“Don’t go alone.”
Arthur looked at Sarah.
Then at Bella.
“We all go.”
May you like
Twenty minutes later, three black vehicles left the mansion.
None of them noticed the motorcycle following from the end of the drive.
