Chapter 10 - EMMA IS GONE
“No.”
Adrian ran upstairs.
Empty crib.
Open window.
Curtain moving in the wind.
“EMMA!”
Julia screamed.
Olivia started crying.
“She was here!”
Police searched every room.
Nothing.
Then one officer found a second baby monitor camera unplugged behind the dresser.
Someone had entered through the rear nursery window while everyone was focused on Ethan at the front.
A distraction.
Adrian slammed his fist against the wall.
“They planned this.”
One detective checked the backyard.
“Footprints.”
Another called out.
“Gate is open.”
Adrian stared toward the street.
Two vehicles.
Ethan’s SUV in front.
Another person behind the house.
“Vanessa,” Adrian said.
The detective shook his head.
“She’s still in custody.”
“Then who?”
His phone rang.
Unknown number.
Adrian answered.
“Where is my daughter?”
Ethan laughed.
“You always go straight to anger.”
“I swear to God—”
“You’re not in a position to threaten anyone.”
Emma cried in the background.
Adrian nearly broke.
“Please.”
Ethan went quiet.
“What was that?”
“Please don’t hurt her.”
“Better.”
“What do you want?”
“Your money.”
“You already stole from me.”
“That was Vanessa’s little project.”
“What do you want?”
“Everything Dad left you.”
Adrian closed his eyes.
The inheritance.
Millions in property and investments.
“Fine.”
“Don’t say fine like you have a choice.”
“Just tell me where to send it.”
“No police.”
Adrian looked at the detectives standing around him.
Ethan continued.
“If I see one cruiser, one detective, one clever little tracker, you’ll never see Emma again.”
Adrian’s voice broke.
“Let me hear her.”
For a few seconds, only static.
Then Emma cried.
“Da…”
Adrian’s eyes filled with tears.
“Baby, Daddy’s here.”
Ethan came back.
“Twenty-four hours.”
The call ended.
Adrian lowered the phone.
Olivia was standing behind him.
“He took her because of money?”
Adrian couldn’t answer.
Clara arrived at the house against her doctor’s advice.
When Adrian saw her, shame hit him again.
“You should be resting.”
“And Emma should be home.”
Clara stepped inside.
“What did Ethan say?”
Adrian told her.
She listened.
Then frowned.
“He doesn’t want just money.”
“What?”
“Think about it. He already had access to your accounts through Vanessa. If he wanted to disappear with money, he could’ve done it.”
“Then why take Emma?”
Clara looked toward Rachel’s letter on the table.
“He’s afraid of something.”
“The evidence?”
“Yes.”
Olivia suddenly gasped.
Everyone turned.
She was staring at Rachel’s letter.
“My mom used to take us somewhere.”
Adrian frowned.
“Where?”
“When I was little.”
“Olivia, what are you talking about?”
“She called it her thinking place.”
Clara’s eyes widened.
“Riverside cabin?”
Adrian turned.
“You know it?”
Clara nodded.
“Rachel’s father owned an old hunting cabin near Lake Mercer.”
Adrian grabbed his keys.
The detective stopped him.
“We need a plan.”
Before Adrian could answer, his phone buzzed.
A live video.
Emma was lying on a blanket.
Behind her stood an old wooden wall.
And scratched into the wood were three letters.
R.H.C.
May you like
Rachel Hayes Cabin.
---
