Chapter 6 - The ChaseDaniel’s world narrowed to one thought.
Emma.
He searched the house.
Closets.
Basement.
Garage.
Nothing.
Marcus called the police.
Daniel couldn’t breathe.
Then Maya noticed the window.
“They didn’t take her.”
Daniel turned.
“What?”
“They wanted you to think they did.”
“How do you know?”
“Because if they had taken Emma, they would have left no evidence.”
Maya pointed outside.
“There.”
A footprint in the snow.
Small.
Adult.
Then another.
Leading toward the alley.
Daniel ran.
A van sat at the end of the street.
Its engine was running.
The rear doors were open.
No Emma.
Daniel approached cautiously.
Inside was a backpack.
Emma’s backpack.
His knees nearly collapsed.
He grabbed it.
Inside was her homework.
Her lunchbox.
And a folded piece of paper.
He opened it.
SHE IS WITH SOMEONE SHE TRUSTS.
Daniel stared.
Then his phone rang.
Emma.
“Daddy?”
Daniel nearly cried.
“Emma! Where are you?”
“At Mrs. Walker’s.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
The elderly woman next door.
“She said you told her to bring me inside.”
“I never did.”
There was a pause.
Then Emma whispered:
“Daddy, the woman who came for me knew Mom’s name.”
Daniel’s blood went cold.
“What woman?”
“She said her name was Claire.”
Daniel looked at Marcus.
Claire Bennett.
The missing accountant.
Alive.
The chase changed instantly.
Claire had been presumed dead.
Now she was moving pieces.
Daniel rushed to Mrs. Walker’s house.
Emma ran into his arms.
He hugged her tightly.
“I’m okay.”
“Yes.”
“You look scared.”
Daniel forced himself to smile.
“I was.”
Emma looked at Maya.
Then Lily.
“Why is everyone fighting over the baby?”
Daniel didn’t answer.
Marcus walked into the kitchen.
“We found Claire.”
“Where?”
“She contacted me.”
Daniel stared.
“What did she say?”
“She wants to meet.”
“Where?”
“Old train station.”
Daniel hesitated.
“This feels like a trap.”
“It probably is.”
“Then why go?”
Marcus looked at Lily.
“Because she knows who Lily’s father really is.”
Daniel turned toward Maya.
She was crying.
“You already know,” he said.
Maya whispered:
“No.”
“Then what are you afraid of?”
She looked at him.
“Because Lily’s father isn’t the person you think he is.”
Daniel frowned.
“I thought it was Michael.”
“So did everyone.”
“What does that mean?”
Maya’s voice broke.
“Michael claimed the baby was his because he needed everyone else to believe it.”
Daniel stepped closer.
“Then whose child is she?”
Maya stared at Lily.
“The only man Rachel trusted.”
Daniel waited.
Maya whispered:
“Your brother.”
Daniel’s face went blank.
“My brother died when I was nineteen.”
“I know.”
“Then explain.”
Maya opened her mouth.
Before she could say another word, every light in the house went out.
A car door slammed outside.
Then another.
Marcus drew his weapon.
Daniel grabbed Emma.
Someone knocked on the front door.
Three slow knocks.
Then a man’s voice came through.
“Daniel.”
Daniel froze.
He knew that voice.
A voice he had not heard in three years.
Michael.
“Open the door.”
Maya started shaking.
Lily began to cry.
May you like
And Marcus whispered:
“Don’t let him in.”
