Chapter 11 - The Price of Knowing Too Much
By sunset, Belle had made her decision.
She was leaving Boston.
Not tomorrow.
Not next week.
As soon as she could get Micah out safely.
She packed clothes into two suitcases.
Micah sat on the bed, watching.
“Are we going to Grandma's?”
“Maybe.”
“She's in Maine.”
“I know.”
“That's far.”
“Far enough.”
Micah looked at his bandaged wrists.
“Is Brinley coming?”
Belle stopped folding.
“No, sweetheart.”
His face fell.
“But she needs us.”
Belle sat beside him.
“Micah, you helped her more than you know.”
“She'll be sad.”
“I know.”
He looked down.
“I'm sad too.”
Belle pulled him close.
“I know, baby.”
For several minutes, neither spoke.
Then Micah whispered:
“Mom?”
“Yes?”
“I don't think Mr. Ellis wanted to hurt me.”
Belle stiffened.
“Why?”
“He was crying.”
She looked at him.
“He cried?”
Micah nodded.
“He kept saying he was sorry.”
Belle felt a new uneasiness.
“What else did he say?”
Micah thought carefully.
“He said somebody had his little girl.”
Belle's blood chilled.
“His daughter?”
“Yes.”
“He told you that?”
“He said if he didn't do what they wanted, she wouldn't come home.”
Belle stared.
Ellis had not simply kidnapped Micah.
Someone had forced him.
“Did he say who?”
Micah shook his head.
“But he showed me a picture.”
“What picture?”
“A little girl with curly hair.”
Belle closed her eyes.
The people behind this were using children to control adults.
Not just Brinley.
Not just Micah.
Other children.
Other families.
Her phone rang.
An unfamiliar number.
Belle answered cautiously.
“Hello?”
A woman spoke.
“Mrs. Ashford?”
“Who is this?”
“My name is Sarah Grant.”
Belle stood.
“Ellis's wife?”
The woman began crying.
“Please.”
Belle gripped the phone.
“Where are you?”
“I don't know what to do.”
“Mrs. Grant, listen to me—”
“They took Olivia.”
Belle's heart pounded.
“When?”
“Three days ago.”
“Have you called the police?”
“They said they'd kill her.”
“Who said that?”
Sarah was sobbing.
“My husband told me not to call anyone.”
Belle looked at Micah.
He was watching her.
She turned away.
“Sarah, where are you right now?”
“At my sister's.”
“Are you safe?”
“I don't know.”
Belle swallowed.
“I'm going to get you help.”
“No!”
The woman sounded terrified.
“Please don't tell Mr. Kavanaugh.”
Belle froze.
“Why?”
Sarah's breathing became ragged.
“Because my husband said the people who took Olivia work for his brother.”
The call ended.
Belle stared at her phone.
Then immediately dialed Renick.
He answered on the first ring.
“Belle?”
“Ellis Grant had a daughter.”
“I know.”
“She's missing.”
Silence.
Renick's voice changed.
“Who told you?”
“His wife.”
“Where is she?”
“Somewhere safe, I hope.”
Belle looked at Micah.
“Renick, this isn't just about Brinley.”
He said nothing.
“Someone is using children to force people to do terrible things.”
Renick exhaled slowly.
“I know.”
Belle froze.
“What do you mean, you know?”
“We found records.”
“What records?”
“Harbor Finch maintained a network of fraudulent guardianship arrangements.”
Belle felt sick.
“Children?”
“Several cases.”
“Where are they now?”
“Some were located years ago. Others weren't.”
Belle leaned against the wall.
“And Elise discovered this?”
“We believe so.”
“Then why wasn't Callum arrested?”
Renick paused.
“Because I didn't know.”
Belle's anger broke through.
“You're telling me your brother was doing this while everyone was afraid to question your family?”
“I am.”
“And now children are paying the price.”
“Yes.”
The honesty stunned her.
Renick continued.
“I've contacted a federal investigator. We're sharing the records.”
Belle closed her eyes.
“Good.”
“I want you and Micah moved under independent protection.”
She looked at the suitcases.
“That's what I was going to ask.”
“I've arranged a safe location through the investigator.”
Belle hesitated.
“Can I trust them?”
“You shouldn't have to take my word for it. You'll speak to them directly.”
For the first time, she heard something in Renick's voice besides command.
Respect.
Not enough to erase the danger.
But enough to matter.
An hour later, two federal agents arrived.
They identified themselves.
Belle verified their credentials using an independently listed office number.
Then she and Micah prepared to leave.
As they approached the front door, Brinley appeared at the end of the hallway.
She was barefoot.
Her rabbit dangled from one hand.
“Micah?”
Micah stopped.
“Bird Girl.”
She ran to him.
The children hugged.
Belle looked away, blinking back tears.
Renick stood beside her.
“My daughter hasn't smiled like that in fourteen months,” he said quietly.
Belle swallowed.
“My son hasn't had a friend like her in a long time.”
Brinley pulled back.
She reached into her pajama pocket.
And placed something in Micah's hand.
A tiny silver bird.
It looked like part of a necklace.
Micah frowned.
“What's this?”
Brinley whispered:
“Mommy.”
Renick went still.
He recognized it.
Elise had worn that silver bird every day.
The pendant had disappeared after the accident.
He knelt.
“Brinley, where did you get that?”
She pointed toward the staircase.
May you like
Then whispered:
“Uncle hid it.”
