Chapter 8 - THE MAN WHO TOOK MY DAUGHTER
I couldn't breathe.
“Where is Lily?”
Michael lowered the gun.
“She's alive.”
“Where?”
“I don't know exactly.”
“What do you mean?”
“Richard took her.”
My father stepped forward.
“You're lying.”
Michael shook his head.
“He called me.”
“When?”
“Ten minutes ago.”
I looked at Claire.
She was crying.
“What does he want?”
“The drive.”
I held it tighter.
Michael said:
“He wants the original evidence.”
“No.”
“He said if we don't give it to him, Lily disappears.”
I felt rage rising.
“Then we'll find him.”
Michael looked at me.
“You don't understand.”
“I understand perfectly.”
“He has people everywhere.”
“So do we.”
Officer Miller arrived moments later.
We explained everything.
The police tracked the phone signal.
It led to an abandoned school.
We went there immediately.
The building was dark.
The halls were empty.
Then we heard Lily.
“Daddy!”
I ran toward the voice.
A door opened.
Lily ran into my arms.
I held her tightly.
“I've got you.”
She cried.
“I knew you would come.”
I kissed her forehead.
“Are you hurt?”
She shook her head.
“No.”
Behind her stood Rachel.
She was crying.
“I got her out.”
I looked at her.
“What?”
“Richard left her with me.”
“Why?”
“He trusted me.”
She handed Lily over.
Then she whispered:
“You need to go.”
“Why?”
“He knows you're here.”
The lights suddenly came on.
Richard appeared on the upper balcony.
“Daniel.”
I looked up.
He smiled.
“Give me the drive.”
“No.”
“You don't understand what you're protecting.”
“I know exactly.”
“You'll destroy your family.”
“You already did.”
Richard looked at Claire.
“She should have stayed dead.”
Claire stepped forward.
“You tried to kill me.”
“You survived.”
“And you failed.”
Richard laughed.
“You think the evidence matters?”
Officer Miller shouted:
“Richard Cole, you're under arrest.”
Richard smiled.
“You think I'm the only one?”
He pointed toward the exit.
Dozens of officers entered.
But something was wrong.
Some were wearing different uniforms.
My father whispered:
“Not all of them are police.”
A gunshot echoed.
Everyone dropped.
The room erupted into chaos.
I grabbed Lily.
Claire pulled Rachel behind a pillar.
Officer Miller ordered everyone down.
Richard disappeared through a side door.
We escaped through the basement.
When we emerged outside, Richard was gone.
But we had Lily.
For now.
Rachel sat against the wall.
She was shaking.
I looked at her.
“You saved my daughter.”
She nodded.
“I should have saved her sooner.”
“Why did you do what you did?”
She looked at me.
“Because I was afraid.”
“Of Richard?”
“Yes.”
“And my father?”
“No.”
“Then who?”
She hesitated.
“Your mother.”
I froze.
“My mother?”
Rachel nodded.
“She knew about everything.”
Claire looked shocked.
“She couldn't have.”
Rachel pulled out a photograph.
It showed my mother meeting Richard.
Years ago.
I stared.
“That isn't possible.”
Rachel whispered:
“Your mother wasn't protecting you.”
She looked at Claire.
“She was protecting the trust.”
My father stepped forward.
“Rachel, stop.”
“No.”
She looked at him.
“Daniel deserves the truth.”
My father closed his eyes.
Rachel continued.
“Your mother knew Claire was going to expose the trust.”
Claire shook her head.
“Why would she?”
“Because she believed the family should remain hidden.”
I stared at my father.
“Is that true?”
He didn't answer.
That was answer enough.
Then my phone rang.
Unknown number.
Richard.
His voice was calm.
“You want the truth?”
I said nothing.
“Come to the Carter cemetery.”
“Why?”
“Bring Claire.”
“What about Lily?”
“You can leave her with Rachel.”
I looked at my daughter.
Richard continued:
“Come alone.”
The call ended.
My father said:
“Don't go.”
Claire looked at me.
“I have to.”
I nodded.
We drove to the cemetery.
At my mother's grave, there was a metal box.
Inside was a letter.
My mother's handwriting.
Daniel, if you are reading this, the family has failed.
I read further.
I lied about Claire.
My hands shook.
I lied about Robert.
Then:
And I lied about the night you were born.
I looked at Claire.
She was crying.
The final line was underlined.
May you like
You were never Robert's son.
I couldn't breathe.
