Chapter 7: ## Chapter 7: The Man Who Took My Son
For: The Man Who Took My Son
For three seconds, I couldn't move.
My three seconds, I couldn't move.
My son was missing. A stranger had threatened son was missing. A stranger had threatened to kill him if I involved the police.
And somewhere in the city, a man who knew to kill him if I involved the police. And somewhere in the city, a man who knew the darkest secrets of my dead wife's estate was waiting for me to make a mistake the darkest secrets of my dead wife's estate was waiting for me to make a mistake.
Then I looked at Noah's photograph again.
His cheeks were wet.
Then I looked at Noah's photograph again.
His cheeks were wet. His small hands were gripping the drawing I had watched him make that afternoon.
He. His small hands were gripping the drawing I had watched him make that afternoon.
He was frightened, but he was still holding on to his mother.
I couldn't let the was frightened, but he was still holding on to his mother.
I couldn't let the people who had taken him destroy that last piece of comfort, people who had taken him destroy that last piece of comfort, too.
I called Daniel.
“Tell me everything that happened.””
Daniel's breathing too.
I called Daniel.
“Tell me everything that happened.””
Daniel's breathing was ragged.
“I went upstairs to check on Noah. His bedroom was empty was ragged.
“I went upstairs to check on Noah. His bedroom was empty, and the window was open. I found the back gate unlatched. Marcus, I should never have left him alone.””
“, and the window was open. I found the back gate unlatched. Marcus, I should never have left him alone.””
“Stop.”” My voice came out harder than I intended.
“You didn't kidnap him. The man who took him is responsible.Stop.”” My voice came out harder than I intended.
“You didn't kidnap him. The man who took him is responsible. Right now, I need you to tell me what you saw.””
“A dark sedan. It was parked across Right now, I need you to tell me what you saw.””
“A dark sedan. It was parked across the street when I arrived. I thought it belonged to a neighbor.””
“Did you see the driver?””
“No the street when I arrived. I thought it belonged to a neighbor.””
“Did you see the driver?””
“No. But I saw a man in a brown coat talking to someone near the gate.””
“The same man Noah described. But I saw a man in a brown coat talking to someone near the gate.””
“The same man Noah described?””
“Yes.””
I closed my eyes.
“Daniel, listen carefully. Call the police now. Give them the photograph?””
“Yes.””
I closed my eyes.
“Daniel, listen carefully. Call the police now. Give them the photograph, the messages, and everything Noah told us.
Tell them this is a suspected abduction and that the person responsible, the messages, and everything Noah told us. Tell them this is a suspected abduction and that the person responsible has threatened him.””
“But the message said—”
“I don't care what the has threatened him.””
“But the message said—”
“I don't care what the message said.””
My voice cracked.
“They took my eight message said.””
My voice cracked.
“They took my eight-year-old son. I'm not letting a stranger dictate whether I ask for help.””
I ended the call and-year-old son. I'm not letting a stranger dictate whether I ask for help.””
I ended the call and turned to Evelyn Shaw.
She was already speaking to the bank's security supervisor, asking him to preserve the access turned to Evelyn Shaw.
She was already speaking to the bank's security supervisor, asking him to preserve the access logs and video records associated with the safe deposit box.
When she finished, she faced me logs and video records associated with the safe deposit box.
When she finished, she faced me.
“Marcus, the threat is designed to make you panic and act alone. That's exactly what they want.””
.
“Marcus, the threat is designed to make you panic and act alone. That's exactly what they want.””
“I don't have time to sit here and discuss strategy.””
“No, you don't. Which is why you need the“I don't have time to sit here and discuss strategy.””
“No, you don't. Which is why you need the police involved immediately.””
I showed her the photograph and the recording.
She listened without interrupting.
When police involved immediately.””
I showed her the photograph and the recording.
She listened without interrupting.
When the voice finished speaking, she looked at the screen for several seconds.
“That's the voice finished speaking, she looked at the screen for several seconds.
“That's not Richard Hale,” she said.
I stared at her.
“You recognize the voice?””
“ not Richard Hale,” she said.
I stared at her.
“You recognize the voice?””
“Not with certainty. But I heard Hale speak several times during the estate proceedings. His voice wasNot with certainty.
But I heard Hale speak several times during the estate proceedings. His voice was higher, and he had a distinctive way of pronouncing certain words.””
higher, and he had a distinctive way of pronouncing certain words.””
“Then who is it?””
“I don't know. But I recognize the name of the warehouse.””
I gripped the edge of“Then who is it?””
“I don't know. But I recognize the name of the warehouse.””
I gripped the edge of the desk.
“Where is it?””
“An industrial property on the eastern side the desk.
“Where is it?””
“An industrial property on the eastern side of the city. The Hale family used to own several buildings there.””
“Then that's of the city. The Hale family used to own several buildings there.””
“Then that's where I'm going.””
Evelyn shook her head.
“Not alone, and not without telling the authorities.””
where I'm going.””
Evelyn shook her head.
“Not alone, and not without telling the authorities.””
I looked at Noah's photograph.
Every second I spent standing in that room felt like aI looked at Noah's photograph.
Every second I spent standing in that room felt like a betrayal of my son.
But Evelyn was right about one thing. Whoever had taken him wanted me frightened betrayal of my son.
But Evelyn was right about one thing. Whoever had taken him wanted me frightened, isolated, and desperate enough to surrender whatever they demanded.
I couldn't, isolated, and desperate enough to surrender whatever they demanded.
I couldn't afford to make their job easier.
I called the emergency number and explained the situation as afford to make their job easier.
I called the emergency number and explained the situation as clearly as I could. I gave the operator Noah's name and age, described the suspected abduction, and clearly as I could. I gave the operator Noah's name and age, described the suspected abduction, and provided the photograph, the threatening messages, and the location mentioned in the recording.
The operator told me to remain available provided the photograph, the threatening messages, and the location mentioned in the recording.
The operator told me to remain available and follow the responding officers' instructions.
I wanted to demand that they send every available unit immediately.
Instead, I and follow the responding officers' instructions.
I wanted to demand that they send every available unit immediately.
Instead, I answered every question.
When I finished, Evelyn placed a hand on my shoulder.
“You answered every question.
When I finished, Evelyn placed a hand on my shoulder.
“You did the right thing.””
“I should have protected him.””
“You are protecting him. did the right thing.””
“I should have protected him.””
“You are protecting him. Keep doing that.””
I looked at her.
“Tell me about the warehouse.””
She opened a folder on the table.
“ Keep doing that.””
I looked at her.
“Tell me about the warehouse.””
She opened a folder on the table.
“Before Richard Hale left his firm, he managed several propertiesBefore Richard Hale left his firm, he managed several properties through a private company. One was an old distribution warehouse near the river. It was through a private company.
One was an old distribution warehouse near the river. It was sold years ago, but the property records show that a holding company connected to his former sold years ago, but the property records show that a holding company connected to his former business partner retained an interest.””
“Who was the business partner?””
Evel business partner retained an interest.””
“Who was the business partner?””
Evelyn turned the page.
The name was printed in bold.
**Graham Whityn turned the page.
The name was printed in bold.
*Graham Whitmore.*
I knew it.
Everyone in our business circles knew it.
Whitmore was a wealthymore.**
I knew it.
Everyone in our business circles knew it.
Whitmore was a wealthy investor with interests in commercial property, private lending, and several financial consult investor with interests in commercial property, private lending, and several financial consultancies. He had attended charity events with Vanessa and had once approached me about a developmentancies. He had attended charity events with Vanessa and had once approached me about a development project.
I had declined his offer.
He had smiled, shaken my hand, and told me there would project.
I had declined his offer.
He had smiled, shaken my hand, and told me there would be other opportunities.
Now his name appeared beside a property connected to the man who had allegedly helped be other opportunities.
Now his name appeared beside a property connected to the man who had allegedly helped alter my son's trust.
“Why would Graham Whitmore want Noah?”” I asked.
“I don't know,” Evelyn replied.
“But alter my son's trust.
“Why would Graham Whitmore want Noah?”” I asked.
“I don't know,” Evelyn replied.
“But I suspect the answer is in the original agreement Emily mentioned.””
“Then we find I suspect the answer is in the original agreement Emily mentioned.””
“Then we find the agreement.””
Before we could continue, my phone rang.
A detective the agreement.””
Before we could continue, my phone rang.
A detective introduced himself as Daniel Foster. He had been assigned to the case and was coordinating with the officers responding introduced himself as Daniel Foster. He had been assigned to the case and was coordinating with the officers responding to our home.
He asked me to repeat the timeline.
I did.
He asked whether Noah had any medical to our home.
He asked me to repeat the timeline.
I did.
He asked whether Noah had any medical conditions, whether there were family members who might have taken him, and whether anyone had recently threatened me.
I conditions, whether there were family members who might have taken him, and whether anyone had recently threatened me.
I told him about Vanessa's forged signature, the guardianship documents, the missing letters, and the man told him about Vanessa's forged signature, the guardianship documents, the missing letters, and the man in the brown coat.
When I mentioned the warehouse, he paused.
“Mr. Reed, don't in the brown coat.
When I mentioned the warehouse, he paused.
“Mr. Reed, don't go there yourself.””
“They have my son.””
“I understand.””
“No, Detective. You don't understand go there yourself.””
“They have my son.””
“I understand.””
“No, Detective. You don't understand. He's eight years old. He was crying in that photograph.””
The. He's eight years old. He was crying in that photograph.””
The detective's voice softened.
“We're treating this as a serious abduction. We will coordinate the response detective's voice softened.
“We're treating this as a serious abduction. We will coordinate the response. But if the people holding him believe you're approaching,. But if the people holding him believe you're approaching, they may move him somewhere we can't immediately locate.””
I closed my eyes.
That was the possibility I they may move him somewhere we can't immediately locate.””
I closed my eyes.
That was the possibility I feared most.
“All right,” I said.
“Tell me what you need from me.””
“Everything you feared most.
“All right,” I said.
“Tell me what you need from me.””
“Everything you know about Graham Whitmore and Richard Hale. And if another message arrives, don't respond until we've reviewed it.””
know about Graham Whitmore and Richard Hale. And if another message arrives, don't respond until we've reviewed it.””
I agreed.
Then I called Daniel again.
He answered immediately.
“The police areI agreed.
Then I called Daniel again.
He answered immediately.
“The police are here,” he said.
“They're talking to the neighbors and checking the street cameras.””
“Good. Stay with them here,” he said.
“They're talking to the neighbors and checking the street cameras.””
“Good. Stay with them.””
“Marcus, I should have been watching Noah.””
“Daniel, listen to me. You are Emily.””
“Marcus, I should have been watching Noah.””
“Daniel, listen to me. You are Emily's brother. You are Noah's uncle. He needs you to be strong when he comes home.””
Daniel's breathing's brother. You are Noah's uncle. He needs you to be strong when he comes home.””
Daniel's breathing broke.
“What if he doesn't?””
I stared at the photograph.
“He broke.
“What if he doesn't?””
I stared at the photograph.
“He will.””
I didn't know whether I believed the words.
But I needed Daniel to believe will.””
I didn't know whether I believed the words.
But I needed Daniel to believe them.
After the call, Evelyn and I went through the documents in the safe deposit box, looking for anything that them.
After the call, Evelyn and I went through the documents in the safe deposit box, looking for anything that connected Whitmore to Noah's trust.
We found an invoice for legal services, a copy of a property connected Whitmore to Noah's trust.
We found an invoice for legal services, a copy of a property transfer, and a letter from Emily to Richard Hale.
The letter was dated six weeks before her death.
transfer, and a letter from Emily to Richard Hale.
The letter was dated six weeks before her death.
It contained one sentence that had been underlined twice.
*You know perfectlyIt contained one sentence that had been underlined twice.
You know perfectly well that the Reed name was never supposed to be the condition of inheritance.
I read it again.
“What does that mean?””
well that the Reed name was never supposed to be the condition of inheritance.*
I read it again.
“What does that mean?””
Evelyn frowned.
“I believe the original agreement was designed to protect a beneficiary regardlessEvelyn frowned.
“I believe the original agreement was designed to protect a beneficiary regardless of changes in family circumstances. The Reed surname may have of changes in family circumstances. The Reed surname may have been used as an administrative reference rather than a legal requirement.””
“But Noah is my son.””
“Yes. been used as an administrative reference rather than a legal requirement.””
“But Noah is my son.””
“Yes. And Emily's.””
She studied the document.
“Which means the And Emily's.””
She studied the document.
“Which means the question is not simply whether Noah can inherit. It's whether somebody has been trying question is not simply whether Noah can inherit. It's whether somebody has been trying to prevent him from inheriting by changing the records around him.””
I felt sick.
“What could they gain by doing that?””
“Control of the funds. Possibly control of property held to prevent him from inheriting by changing the records around him.””
I felt sick.
“What could they gain by doing that?””
“Control of the funds. Possibly control of property held under the agreement. But we need the original will to know for certain.””
I looked at the clock.
The deadline under the agreement. But we need the original will to know for certain.””
I looked at the clock.
The deadline in the recording was approaching.
Then my phone vibrated.
A new message had in the recording was approaching.
Then my phone vibrated.
A new message had arrived from the same unknown number.
*You have three hours, Marcus. Bring the will. arrived from the same unknown number.
You have three hours, Marcus. Bring the will. No police.
A second message followed.
If you want proof that the No police.
A second message followed.
If you want proof that the boy is alive, call this number.
I showed the messages to Detective Foster.
He instructed me not to make boy is alive, call this number.*
I showed the messages to Detective Foster.
He instructed me not to make contact until his team had assessed the risk. Minutes later, he called contact until his team had assessed the risk. Minutes later, he called back and told me that officers were working to verify the number and establish a response plan.
I paced back and told me that officers were working to verify the number and establish a response plan.
I paced the room while Evelyn continued searching the documents.
Then she stopped the room while Evelyn continued searching the documents.
Then she stopped.
“Marcus.””
I turned.
She was holding a folded sheet of paper that had been tucked.
“Marcus.””
I turned.
She was holding a folded sheet of paper that had been tucked inside the back cover of the second folder.
“This wasn't part of the scanned records.””
“What is inside the back cover of the second folder.
“This wasn't part of the scanned records.””
“What is it?””
“A handwritten list of names.””
She passed it to me.
At the top was Graham Whit it?””
“A handwritten list of names.””
She passed it to me.
At the top was Graham Whitmore's name.
Below it was Richard Hale's.
And beneath those two namesmore's name.
Below it was Richard Hale's.
And beneath those two names was a third.
*Vanessa Reed.*
Beside her name, Emily had written a date.
The date was a third.
*Vanessa Reed.*
Beside her name, Emily had written a date.
The date of our wedding.
My stomach dropped.
“No.””
Evelyn watched my face.
“Marcus?””
of our wedding.
My stomach dropped.
“No.””
Evelyn watched my face.
“Marcus?””
“She married me a year after this date was written.””
I checked the handwriting again“She married me a year after this date was written.””
I checked the handwriting again.
It was Emily's.
I knew it as well as I knew my own.
B.
It was Emily's.
I knew it as well as I knew my own.
Beneath Vanessa's name were four words.
*She must not beeneath Vanessa's name were four words.
She must not be trusted.
For a moment, I could hear nothing but the pounding of my heart.
Emily had known trusted.*
For a moment, I could hear nothing but the pounding of my heart.
Emily had known Vanessa's name before I met her. She had warned me about her in the letter. And now I Vanessa's name before I met her.
She had warned me about her in the letter. And now I was looking at a list that connected her to Whitmore and Hale.
But the date beside Vanessa's name was not a date from was looking at a list that connected her to Whitmore and Hale.
But the date beside Vanessa's name was not a date from her employment records.
It was the date of my wedding.
Why would Emily have written it down before she her employment records.
It was the date of my wedding.
Why would Emily have written it down before she died?
Unless she had been predicting something.
Or unless someone had altered the date.
I turned the paper over.
On died?
Unless she had been predicting something.
Or unless someone had altered the date.
I turned the paper over.
On the back, Emily had written a final sentence.
*If Marcus has already married her, the next move the back, Emily had written a final sentence.
If Marcus has already married her, the next move will be to make him believe the child is the only obstacle.
I felt the will be to make him believe the child is the only obstacle.*
I felt the blood drain from my face.
The child.
Noah.
I looked at Evelyn.
“Someone wanted me blood drain from my face.
The child.
Noah.
I looked at Evelyn.
“Someone wanted me to believe Noah was the problem.””
“Or wanted you to believe Vanessa was the only person responsible to believe Noah was the problem.””
“Or wanted you to believe Vanessa was the only person responsible.””
Before I could answer, Detective Foster called again.
“We've made a preliminary identification of the vehicle.””
Before I could answer, Detective Foster called again.
“We've made a preliminary identification of the vehicle seen near your property. It's registered to a company associated with Graham Whitmore.””
I gripped the phone.
“Do you know where it is?””
“We have a possible seen near your property. It's registered to a company associated with Graham Whitmore.””
I gripped the phone.
“Do you know where it is?””
“We have a possible location. I'm sending a team to investigate.””
“And Noah?””
“We don't have visual confirmation yet.””
location. I'm sending a team to investigate.””
“And Noah?””
“We don't have visual confirmation yet.””
I closed my eyes.
“Detective, please.””
“I know, Mr. Reed. We'll do everything we can.””
The call ended.
Evelyn moved toward me.
“WeI closed my eyes.
“Detective, please.””
“I know, Mr. Reed. We'll do everything we can.””
The call ended.
Evelyn moved toward me.
“We need to consider the possibility that the message was designed to make you bring them the wrong need to consider the possibility that the message was designed to make you bring them the wrong document.””
I looked at the silver key.
“The original will.””
“Exactly. If they already document.””
I looked at the silver key.
“The original will.””
“Exactly. If they already have access to some of the records, they may be testing whether you know where the original is.””
I stared have access to some of the records, they may be testing whether you know where the original is.””
I stared at the documents scattered across the table.
Then something clicked.
The man in the brown coat had asked Noah about his mother's important papers.
at the documents scattered across the table.
Then something clicked.
The man in the brown coat had asked Noah about his mother's important papers.
Vanessa had removed Emily's letters.
Someone had forged my signature.
And the message demanded aVanessa had removed Emily's letters.
Someone had forged my signature.
And the message demanded a will that might not even be in the safe deposit box.
They weren't simply trying to steal will that might not even be in the safe deposit box.
They weren't simply trying to steal money.
They were trying to find something Emily had hidden.
Something they believed Noah could lead them to.
My phone rang again.
This time, it was Daniel.
“Marcus,” he said, his voice shaking.
“The police found something.””
I stood so quickly that my chair fell backward.
“What?””
“A neighbor's security money.
They were trying to find something Emily had hidden.
Something they believed Noah could lead them to.
My phone rang again.
This time, it was Daniel.
“Marcus,” he said, his voice shaking.
“The police found something.””
I stood so quickly that my chair fell backward.
“What?””
“A neighbor's security camera caught the car stopping near the side gate. They got a clear picture of the passenger camera caught the car stopping near the side gate. They got a clear picture of the passenger.””
“Who was it?””
Daniel hesitated.
Then he said, “Vanessa.””
The room went silent.
I gripped the phone.
“Are.””
“Who was it?””
Daniel hesitated.
Then he said, “Vanessa.””
The room went silent.
I gripped the phone.
“Are you sure?””
“The detective showed me the image. It's her.””
I stared at the name on Emily's handwritten you sure?””
“The detective showed me the image. It's her.””
I stared at the name on Emily's handwritten list.
Vanessa Reed.
The woman who had burned my son's ball.
The woman who had forged my signature, list.
Vanessa Reed.
The woman who had burned my son's ball.
The woman who had forged my signature, or at least appeared connected to the forged documents.
The woman who had walked out of my house hours or at least appeared connected to the forged documents.
The woman who had walked out of my house hours before my son disappeared.
I felt rage rising in my chest.
before my son disappeared.
I felt rage rising in my chest.
But underneath it was something worse.
Fear.
Because if Vanessa had been involved in Noah's abduction, she might knowBut underneath it was something worse.
Fear.
Because if Vanessa had been involved in Noah's abduction, she might know exactly where he was.
And if she knew where he was, then she had a choice to exactly where he was.
And if she knew where he was, then she had a choice to make.
Tell us the truth.
Or help the people who had taken him disappear forever make.
Tell us the truth.
Or help the people who had taken him disappear forever.
I looked at Evelyn.
“Find me every address associated with Vanessa's business contacts.””
She nodded.
I turned.
I looked at Evelyn.
“Find me every address associated with Vanessa's business contacts.””
She nodded.
I turned back to the phone.
“Daniel, stay with the police. Don't approach anyone.””
“Marcus, back to the phone.
“Daniel, stay with the police. Don't approach anyone.””
“Marcus, what are you going to do?””
I looked at Noah's photograph one more time.
“I'm going to find my what are you going to do?””
I looked at Noah's photograph one more time.
“I'm going to find my son.””
And as I slipped Emily's letter into my jacket, I realized that the next person I confronted son.””
And as I slipped Emily's letter into my jacket, I realized that the next person I confronted might be the only one who could lead me to him.
Or the person who had made sure I might be the only one who could lead me to him.
May you like
Or the person who had made sure I would never see him again.
would never see him again.
