Chapter 6 - THE MAN ON THE RECORDING
Ethan listened to the recording twice.
The sound was faint, but the voices were clear enough.
Victoria spoke first.
“Ethan is suspicious now.”
The man answered, “Then make him look unstable.”
Ethan’s hands went numb.
His attorney, Richard Hale, had represented him for six years.
Richard had handled Ethan’s business, his divorce, and the legal papers after the baby’s birth.
He had been in the hospital when Victoria brought the documents.
He had told Ethan everything was routine.
Ethan called him.
Richard answered immediately.
“Are you all right?”
“Where were you last night?”
There was a pause.
“At home.”
“Who were you speaking to in my nursery?”
Richard’s silence lasted too long.
Then he said, “You need to calm down.”
Ethan saved the recording.
“I’m done listening to you.”
“You don’t understand what you’re accusing me of.”
“I understand that you helped Victoria create a guardianship document.”
Richard’s tone changed.
“If you keep making reckless accusations, you’ll lose both children.”
“You already helped her try.”
Ethan ended the call.
He sent the recording to Denise and a detective named Carla Ruiz, who had agreed to review the case.
Detective Ruiz listened without interrupting.
When it ended, she said, “This may be enough to open an investigation, but we need to know what they were planning.”
“I want my son found.”
“We’ll locate him.”
“And Lily?”
“She’s safe for now.”
Ethan looked through the hospital window at his daughter. She sat on the edge of a bed, holding a stuffed rabbit a nurse had given her.
“She doesn’t trust anyone.”
“She trusted you enough to tell the truth.”
Ethan swallowed.
“I should have seen it.”
Detective Ruiz placed a hand on the folder.
“People who control children usually hide behind the parent who believes them.”
Ethan asked, “What was Victoria trying to gain?”
Ruiz studied him.
“Does she have access to your money?”
Ethan remembered the insurance policies, the business account, and the trust his late wife had created for Lily.
Victoria had asked about those things before.
Too many times.
Before Ruiz could continue, a nurse rushed into the room.
“Mr. Carter, the baby is gone.”
Ethan stood so quickly his chair fell backward.
“What?”
“The nursery window is open.”
On the bed lay a single white envelope.
Ethan picked it up.
Inside was a photograph of Lily asleep.
May you like
On the back, someone had written:
Bring the trust documents, or you will never see your children again.
