Chapter 7: The Price of My Father's Death
“Your father's original death certificate. The one that proves he was murdered.””
Thomas's words echoed through the phone.
I looked at Officer Collins.
“Did you hear that?””
He nodded and immediately spoke into his radio.
“Dispatch, I need confirmation on a possible abduction involving Danielle Hale. Suspect may be Daniel Cross. Treat this as urgent.””
I returned to the call.
“Thomas, where is Danielle?””
“I don't know exactly. Cross contacted me twenty minutes ago. He said Vanessa has her.””
“Did he say where?””
“An old property outside town. A warehouse your father used to own.””
I glanced at the photograph in my hand.
“Why would he want my father's death certificate?””
“Because it contains something he doesn't want anyone to see.””
“What?””
Thomas hesitated.
“Your father's medical records were altered after his death. The original certificate identifies the doctor who signed the report.””
“Richard Bell?””
“Yes. But there's another name.””
“Whose?””
“Daniel Cross.””
My stomach tightened.
Officer Collins took the phone from my hand.
“Mr. Reed, this is Officer Collins. I need you to tell me exactly how Cross contacted you.””
Thomas explained that Cross had called from a blocked number and offered to exchange Danielle for the original documents.
When the call ended, Collins turned toward me.
“You're not going anywhere near that warehouse.””
“That's my wife.””
“I understand.””
“No, you don't. I've spent two years believing she was dead.””
“And if you walk into an ambush, your daughter loses both parents.””
His words stopped me.
Lily.
I looked toward the basement stairs.
She was upstairs with another officer, sitting on the sofa and drawing quietly.
I couldn't put her through another funeral.
“Then what do we do?””
Collins took the photograph from my hand.
“We find Danielle before Cross realizes we're looking for him.””
He called for additional officers.
Meanwhile, I opened my father's metal box again.
There were more documents beneath the will.
One was a handwritten list of bank transfers. Another contained a series of dates and initials.
At the bottom, I noticed something strange.
A line written in my father's handwriting:
If Cross asks for the certificate, he already knows about the second recording.
I read it aloud.
Officer Collins turned.
“Second recording?””
I searched the box.
Nothing.
Then I noticed a small indentation beneath the cassette recorder.
A hidden compartment.
Inside was a tiny digital voice recorder.
I pressed the power button.
A red light appeared.
The recording began with my father's voice.
“Daniel, I know what Evelyn asked you to do.””
A second voice answered.
“Then you know why I'm here.””
It was a younger-sounding Daniel Cross.
My father continued.
“You were paid to frighten Danielle, not kill her.””
“I didn't kill anyone.””
“You left her in the car after she was injured.””
“She was breathing when I left.””
There was a long silence.
Then Cross spoke again.
“Your wife wanted the problem solved. She said the girl would be taken care of.””
My father's voice became sharp.
“Which girl?””
“Danielle's daughter.””
The recording ended abruptly.
I stared at the device.
Officer Collins took it carefully.
“This is enough to reopen the investigation into your father's death.””
“Then let's do it.””
He nodded.
But before we could move, my phone rang again.
An unknown number.
I answered.
A man's voice spoke immediately.
“Marcus Hale.””
“Who is this?””
“You have something that belongs to me.””
“Daniel Cross?””
He laughed.
“Your father was a stubborn man. You have his habit of asking questions.””
“Where is Danielle?””
“She is alive.””
“Let me speak to her.””
A few seconds passed.
Then I heard a familiar voice.
“Marcus?””
My knees weakened.
“Danielle?””
“Don't give him anything.””
A muffled sound followed.
Then Cross returned.
“Your wife is still difficult. Just like she was two years ago.””
“Don't touch her.””
“Bring me the original certificate. You have one hour.””
“I don't have it.””
“Then find it.””
The call disconnected.
Officer Collins immediately began tracing the number.
I looked at the documents again.
My father had hidden the original certificate somewhere.
But where?
Then I remembered something.
The funeral.
Evelyn had insisted on keeping every original document. She said she needed them for the estate.
She had taken the certificate.
I called her.
She answered after the second ring.
“Marcus?””
“Where is Dad's original death certificate?””
Silence.
Then she said, “Why?””
“Because Daniel Cross wants it.””
Her breathing changed.
“Don't give him anything.””
“Where is it?””
“Marcus, you need to understand something. Cross is dangerous.””
“I know.””
“No, you don't. Your father made a deal with him before he died.””
“What deal?””
“He promised Cross money to disappear. When Robert refused to pay, Cross threatened him.””
I gripped the phone.
“Did Cross kill Dad?””
My mother began crying.
“I didn't want it to happen.””
The room seemed to spin.
“What did you do, Mom?””
“I was trying to protect you.””
“Stop saying that!””
She went silent.
Then she whispered:
“The certificate is in your father's old office. Behind the portrait of him and Robert Senior.””
I ended the call.
Officer Collins stared at me.
“Robert Senior?””
“My grandfather.””
We hurried upstairs.
As we reached the front door, Lily ran toward me.
“Dad!””
I knelt.
“What's wrong, sweetheart?””
She held up her drawing.
It showed three people holding hands.
Me.
Her.
And Danielle.
“I drew Mommy coming home,” she said.
I kissed her forehead.
“That's what we're going to do.””
Then she pointed toward the driveway.
“Dad, that man was here again.””
My blood went cold.
“What man?””
“The one from the picture.””
Officer Collins turned sharply.
“Where did you see him?””
Lily pointed toward the front window.
“He was standing by Grandma's car.””
I looked outside.
The driveway was empty.
But a small envelope had been placed beneath the windshield wiper.
Inside was a photograph.
It showed Danielle sitting in a dark room, her hands tied.
May you like
On the back were six words.
*One hour. Bring the certificate. Alone.*
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