Chapter 11 - DANIEL’S FATHER
Daniel’s father was named Charles Cole.
Former judge.
Philanthropist.
Television donor.
A man who had spent thirty years talking about family values.
Elena stared at his photograph on Daniel’s phone.
“You’re telling me this man is Horizon?”
Daniel shook his head.
“No.”
“You just said he founded it.”
“As a nonprofit.”
“For what?”
“Helping families adopt.”
Marisol laughed bitterly from her hospital bed.
Daniel turned.
“What?”
“You really don’t know.”
“Know what?”
Marisol looked at Elena.
“Charles Cole started the legal side.”
Daniel’s face tightened.
“No.”
“He recruited judges.”
“No.”
“Attorneys.”
“Stop.”
“Social workers.”
Daniel slammed his palm against the wall.
“STOP.”
Silence.
Mateo slept in Elena’s arms nearby.
Kim entered.
“We checked.”
Daniel looked at her.
“And?”
“Horizon Family Services was founded by Charles Cole twenty-three years ago.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
Kim continued.
“The nonprofit shut down publicly nine years ago.”
“Publicly?”
“The shell companies stayed active.”
Marisol whispered:
“That’s how they paid us.”
Daniel looked sick.
Elena asked:
“Where is Charles now?”
Daniel opened his eyes.
“My parents have a house in Lake Geneva.”
Kim nodded.
“We already sent people.”
Daniel’s phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
DAD.
Everyone froze.
Kim whispered:
“Answer.”
Daniel did.
“Dad?”
Charles sounded calm.
“Daniel.”
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
“Where are you?”
“At home.”
Kim shook her head silently.
Daniel continued.
“Vanessa kidnapped Mateo.”
“I know.”
Daniel’s face changed.
“How?”
Charles sighed.
“Because Vanessa called me.”
Elena stood.
Daniel whispered:
“Why would she call you?”
“Because she was scared.”
“Of what?”
“Of Elena.”
Elena almost laughed.
Charles continued.
“That woman has been unstable for years.”
Elena stepped toward the phone.
Daniel held up a hand.
“What did you do?”
“Daniel, listen to me.”
“No.”
His voice sharpened.
“What did you do?”
Charles was silent.
Then:
“I protected you.”
Daniel’s eyes filled with rage.
“From what?”
“From the truth.”
“What truth?”
Charles sighed.
“You were never supposed to meet Mateo’s mother.”
Elena felt cold.
Daniel stared at the wall.
“What?”
“Vanessa was supposed to take the boy abroad.”
Daniel stopped breathing.
“But she fell in love with you.”
Elena whispered:
“Oh my God.”
Charles continued.
“She kept the child.”
Daniel’s voice became hollow.
“And you knew?”
“Eventually.”
“For how long?”
“Daniel—”
“For how long?”
“Three years.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
His knees almost gave out.
“You sat at my table.”
Charles said nothing.
“You came to Mateo’s birthday.”
Silence.
“You gave him a bicycle.”
Charles finally spoke.
“I grew attached to him.”
Daniel laughed.
A broken sound.
“You trafficked him and then grew attached?”
“Watch your language.”
Daniel’s face changed completely.
Elena saw it.
The last piece of loyalty had died.
Daniel whispered:
“You’re going to prison.”
Charles laughed softly.
“No, son.”
Then a beep sounded.
Kim looked at the phone.
The call had switched to video.
Charles appeared.
He was sitting inside Daniel’s childhood home.
Behind him was an elderly woman tied to a chair.
Daniel’s mother.
Daniel went white.
“Mom?”
Charles looked into the camera.
“Bring me Elena and the boy.”
Daniel’s breath stopped.
May you like
“Dad.”
“Or your mother pays for your mistake.”
