Chapter 11: The Photograph From Before Sarah
The police station smelled of burnt coffee and disinfectant.
Detective Harris placed three folders on the table.
"Mr. Bennett, we're investigating financial fraud, coercion involving minors, and possible identity theft.""
I nodded.
"Tell me what you've found.""
He opened the first folder.
"We traced several payments from your joint account to Bennett Family Consulting. The company was registered using your personal information.""
"I never registered it.""
"We believe your wife created the business.""
He showed me a document.
My signature appeared at the bottom.
It looked almost perfect.
Almost.
I leaned closer.
"The letter B is wrong.""
Detective Harris raised an eyebrow.
"What?""
"I sign my B with a single continuous stroke. This one has two separate strokes.""
He examined it.
"That could be useful.""
I pointed to the date.
"I was in Chicago that week. I have hotel records and flight receipts.""
He made a note.
Then he opened the second folder.
"We also obtained records from Crown & Glory.""
He slid a printed document toward me.
It listed payments made over several years.
Some were connected to Sarah.
Others were connected to Vanessa.
And several were connected to a third party.
A company called Whitmore Holdings.
I recognized the name.
"Harold's company?""
"Yes.""
Detective Harris pointed to a transaction.
"Six years ago, a payment of twelve thousand dollars was made to an account associated with your former employer.""
I stared at the number.
"What?""
"Do you remember receiving any unusual compensation around that time?""
I shook my head.
"No.""
He placed another document beside it.
It was an old employment record.
The account belonged to a consulting company I had worked for before meeting Sarah.
But I had never received twelve thousand dollars.
"Who received it?""
"We're investigating.""
I leaned back.
"Why would Harold send money to my employer?""
Detective Harris studied me.
"That's what we'd like to know.""
Then he opened the third folder.
It contained a photograph.
I recognized myself immediately.
I was standing outside a small office building, wearing a blue shirt and holding a briefcase.
The photograph was dated eight years earlier.
Before I met Sarah.
Before I knew Harold existed.
I stared at it.
"Where did you get this?""
"It was found among documents connected to Crown & Glory.""
I looked closer.
There was someone standing beside me.
A woman.
Her face was partly hidden by the photograph's angle.
But I recognized the necklace.
Sarah's silver necklace.
The same one Lily was wearing.
I felt my stomach drop.
"That's Sarah.""
Detective Harris nodded.
"According to the date, the photograph was taken two months before you met her.""
I stared at the image.
Sarah had known me before I knew her.
But how?
I remembered meeting her at a charity fundraiser.
She had been standing beside the refreshments table, laughing at something someone had said.
I had offered her a drink.
We talked for hours.
She told me she had a young daughter.
She said she was trying to build a better life.
I had fallen in love with her.
Or at least, I believed I had.
"Did she know who I was?"" I asked.
Detective Harris closed the folder.
"We don't know.""
I left the station with a copy of the photograph.
Rachel was waiting outside.
She had brought Maya and Brielle to a nearby café.
Both girls looked exhausted.
Maya stood when she saw me.
"Dad?""
I hugged her.
"Everything okay?""
She nodded.
Then she looked at the photograph in my hand.
"Who's that?""
I sat beside her.
"Your mother.""
Maya examined it.
"She looks happy.""
"She does.""
"Who's the man?""
I swallowed.
"Me.""
She frowned.
"But you said you met Mom later.""
"I did.""
Maya looked confused.
I couldn't explain it.
Not yet.
Brielle approached.
"Did you find Lily?""
I shook my head.
"Not yet. But the police know where to look.""
Rachel placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Michael, I need to tell you something.""
I looked at her.
"What?""
"Vanessa called me.""
"When?""
"An hour ago.""
I felt my jaw tighten.
"What did she say?""
Rachel glanced toward the girls.
"She said Harold is going to send someone to collect Emma.""
I stood.
"What?""
"She told me the agreement was still active.""
I immediately called Detective Harris.
He told me officers would be sent to Rachel's home.
Then I called her daughter.
Emma answered on the second ring.
"Uncle Michael?""
"Where are you?""
"At home.""
"Is your mother there?""
"Yes.""
"Stay with her. Don't open the door for anyone.""
Emma went quiet.
Then she whispered:
"Someone is outside.""
I felt my heart stop.
"Who?""
"I don't know. There's a man in a black car.""
I turned toward Rachel.
She was already reaching for her phone.
"Emma, listen to me. Go inside and lock the doors.""
"I am inside.""
"Good. Stay away from the windows.""
Then I heard a loud knock.
Emma screamed.
The call disconnected.
I immediately dialed 911.
Rachel was crying.
"That's my baby.""
I grabbed my keys.
Detective Harris called me back before I reached the car.
"Mr. Bennett, stay where you are. Officers are on the way.""
"That's my niece!""
"I understand. We have units responding.""
I paced beside the café.
Two minutes later, Rachel's phone rang.
It was Emma.
She was crying.
"Mom!""
Rachel put the phone on speaker.
"Emma, sweetheart, are you okay?""
"Someone tried to open the back door.""
Rachel began sobbing.
"Where are you?""
"In the bathroom. I locked it.""
I heard another voice in the background.
A man's voice.
"Emma, come out. We just need to talk.""
I felt my blood run cold.
The police sirens sounded in the distance.
Then the man said something that made everyone go silent.
"Your mother signed the agreement. You belong to the family now.""
Emma started screaming.
A loud crash followed.
The phone went silent.
Rachel collapsed against the café table.
I ran toward the parking lot.
But before I could reach the car, Detective Harris called.
"Mr. Bennett, we've secured the property.""
I stopped.
"Is Emma safe?""
"She's with officers.""
I exhaled.
Then he added:
"We found something inside the vehicle.""
"What?""
"A folder containing photographs of Maya, Emma, and Lily.""
I closed my eyes.
"What else?""
The detective paused.
"There's a handwritten list of the next three names.""
"Which names?""
He read them.
"Emma Collins.""
"Maya Bennett.""
Then he stopped.
I waited.
"And the third?""
His voice became quiet.
"Michael Bennett.""
I felt my stomach drop.
"Why is my name on that list?""
May you like
Detective Harris answered:
"Because someone has authorized a new transaction involving you.""
