Chapter 14 - NO EASY WAY BACK
The pickup attempt failed because Maddie had taught the daycare to call her directly.
It still left her shaking.
She sat between Theo and June on Elise’s couch until both fell asleep.
Vance stayed in the kitchen with Grant.
“Don’t go to her house,” Grant said.
“I know.”
“Do you?”
Vance looked at him.
“I want to.”
“That’s different.”
“Yes.”
Police obtained the daycare’s email records.
Nora arranged emergency applications for protective orders against the people the evidence implicated.
Nobody promised an instant result.
Nobody needed to.
For once, the adults were doing the work without asking Maddie to carry it alone.
At midnight, a driver employed by Eleanor’s family office contacted investigators through his attorney.
He had been told he was picking up children for a grandmother.
He had saved the instructions.
The message had come from Eleanor’s assistant.
The same woman who had threatened Vance.
By morning, the assistant was cooperating.
She admitted arranging the surveillance.
She denied knowing about the apartment entry.
She supplied communications tying Eleanor and Lila to the plan.
The theft investigation continued.
Vance went to the annual meeting with his attorney.
Maddie stayed with the twins.
Before he left, she handed him the uncashed check.
“I don’t need you to wave it in front of a room.”
“I won’t.”
“I need you to remember she put a price on making us disappear.”
He put it inside his jacket.
“I will.”
At the company offices, reporters crowded the entrance.
A camera moved toward his face.
“Mr. Callahan, did your ex-wife hide your children?”
“No.”
“Are you asking for custody?”
“We’re building a parenting arrangement that protects them.”
“Will you resign?”
“That will be addressed inside.”
Eleanor waited near the elevators.
“You look tired.”
“So do you.”
“This can end right now.”
He stopped.
She held out a proposed statement.
A misunderstanding.
Administrative mistakes.
A private reconciliation.
No names.
No accountability.
“You sign,” she said, “and I support your return.”
Vance looked at the paper.
Then tore it once down the middle.
Eleanor’s expression changed.
“You’ll regret this.”
May you like
He stepped into the elevator.
For the first time in his life, her warning didn’t decide what he did next.
