Chapter 3 - THE MAN WITH THE BADGE
Derek Collins stood inside the police station, looking at the missing person report.
Except Harper wasn’t missing.
Not legally.
Not officially.
But he wanted everyone to believe she was.
“She took my brother-in-law,” Derek told the officer across from him.
The officer frowned.
“Your wife took an eight-year-old child?”
Derek sighed sadly.
“I’m worried about her mental state.”
Those words.
That was his weapon.
Not anger.
Not violence.
Concern.
Fake concern.
“She’s been under stress,” Derek continued.
“She doesn’t think clearly anymore.”
The officer nodded slowly.
“Do you have any idea where she went?”
Derek looked down.
Then whispered:
“I just want my family back.”
A perfect performance.
But Derek didn’t know someone had seen the truth.
Someone who had noticed Harper’s fear long before she ever entered Gabriel Ashford’s house.
A neighbor.
Mrs. Carter.
The elderly woman who lived beside Harper’s old apartment.
She watched Derek leave the station.
Then she made a phone call.
“I think I know where she is.”
Meanwhile…
Inside Ashford Mansion, Harper stood in the kitchen preparing dinner for Noah.
Gabriel watched from the doorway.
“You should have told someone.”
Harper froze.
“I told myself that every day.”
“You were afraid.”
“Yes.”
“Of him?”
Harper nodded.
“Of everyone believing him.”
Gabriel walked closer.
“Why?”
She gave a painful smile.
“Because people don’t want to believe someone they respect can be a monster.”
The word hung in the air.
Gabriel didn’t respond immediately.
Then his phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
“Hello?”
A man’s voice came through.
Calm.
Confident.
Friendly.
“Mr. Ashford?”
“Yes.”
“My name is Derek Collins.”
Harper dropped the plate in her hand.
It shattered across the floor.
Gabriel looked at her.
And for the first time…
He saw real terror.
Derek continued:
“I believe my wife is working for you.”
A pause.
Then:
“I’m hoping you can help me bring her home.”
Gabriel looked at Harper.
She was shaking.
Because she knew something Gabriel didn’t.
Derek wasn’t asking for help.
May you like
He was warning them.
And he had just found them.
