Chapter 12 - NOAH’S RECORDING
The recording was seven years old.
Noah had been five.
His voice sounded tiny.
Scared.
The phone had been hidden somewhere in a room.
Vivian’s voice came through clearly.
“Stop crying.”
“I want Dad.”
“Your dad isn’t coming.”
“Yes, he is.”
“No, he isn’t.”
A pause.
Then Noah sniffled.
“Why are you giving me medicine?”
Ethan’s entire body went rigid.
Vivian answered.
“Because you’re easier when you sleep.”
Andrew turned away.
His shoulders shook.
Noah stared at the floor.
The recording continued.
“Don’t tell your father.”
“Why?”
“Because he won’t believe you.”
Noah whimpered.
“He loves me.”
Vivian laughed softly.
“Then why does he leave you with me?”
Andrew broke.
He covered his face.
“Oh, God.”
Noah looked at his father.
“Dad.”
Andrew dropped to his knees.
“I’m sorry.”
Noah stood still.
For a moment, Ethan thought the boy might walk away.
Instead, Noah hugged his father.
“I know.”
Ethan looked toward Lily.
She was watching them.
Something about the scene seemed to reach her.
She slipped her hand into Ethan’s.
“Daddy?”
“Yes?”
“You believe me?”
He knelt beside her immediately.
“Every word.”
“Even if Vivian says I’m lying?”
“Especially then.”
Lily studied his face.
Then hugged him.
Detective Chen received the recording that afternoon.
It changed the case.
Prosecutors now had evidence of a pattern.
Two children.
Similar methods.
Similar threats.
Similar medication.
Financial fraud.
Forgery.
Attempted flight.
Mason began cooperating within forty-eight hours.
His lawyer clearly understood that loyalty to Vivian would not save him.
He admitted helping move money.
He admitted setting up shell companies.
He admitted finding the Arizona property.
He admitted helping Vivian create financial documents.
Then he said something that surprised everyone.
“The child stuff wasn’t supposed to happen.”
Detective Chen leaned forward.
“What does that mean?”
Mason looked uncomfortable.
“I knew Vivian hated being stuck with Lily.”
“Hated?”
“She complained constantly.”
“Did you know she was hurting her?”
“No.”
Chen slid one printed message toward him.
KEEP HER SLEEPY WHEN HE TRAVELS.
Mason swallowed.
“I thought she meant regular medicine.”
“You thought a four-year-old needed to be sedated whenever her father traveled?”
He looked down.
Chen continued.
“What was the plan?”
Mason stayed silent.
“What was the plan, Mr. Price?”
Finally he answered.
“Vivian was going to leave Ethan.”
“And take Lily?”
“She said it would make Ethan cooperate.”
Ethan watched from behind the interview-room glass.
His stomach turned.
Mason continued.
“She said Ethan would give her anything if she had the kid.”
Detective Chen’s face hardened.
“You mean ransom?”
“No. Not exactly.”
“What do you call taking someone’s child so they’ll give you money?”
Mason had no answer.
Chen asked, “Where were you supposed to meet Vivian?”
“At the airfield.”
“Why didn’t you show?”
“I got scared.”
“Of police?”
Mason shook his head.
“Of Vivian.”
Ethan frowned.
Chen did too.
“Why?”
Mason looked toward the one-way glass.
Almost as if he knew Ethan was there.
“Because she changed the plan.”
“How?”
“She didn’t want to just leave.”
May you like
Mason took a breath.
“She wanted Ethan blamed for Lily disappearing.”
