Chapter 7
When Detective Bennett told me Daniel had been carrying passports for my grandsons, I understood that the danger was far from over.
He hadn't just wanted to disappear.
He had been preparing to take the boys with him.
I stared at the phone.
"Does he know they're with me?"
"We believe he does."
My stomach tightened.
"How?"
"We're investigating how information about their location may have reached him."
I thought immediately of Martin Cole.
The hotel manager.
The man who had tried to throw Jack and Ben into the storm.
The man whose name appeared in Emily's financial records.
I told Detective Bennett.
She listened.
"We're already looking into his communications."
I nodded.
"Good."
Then I glanced toward the bedroom.
The boys were sleeping.
I lowered my voice.
"Please don't let Daniel near them."
"We're taking the appropriate steps to protect them."
I ended the call.
For several minutes, I stood motionless.
Then I called Marcus.
"Increase security around the boys."
He answered immediately.
"Already arranged, sir."
I swallowed.
"And Marcus?"
"Yes?"
"Nobody approaches them without clearance from the child welfare team and the officers handling the case."
"Understood."
The next morning, I received news that Martin Cole had been removed from his position pending investigation.
The hotel ownership group had acted after receiving information about his possible involvement.
Ethan was temporarily supervising the front desk.
When I went downstairs, I found him helping an elderly guest with her luggage.
He looked embarrassed when he saw me.
"Mr. Harrison."
I smiled.
"Good morning, Ethan."
He nodded.
"How are the boys?"
"Much better."
His face brightened.
"I'm glad."
I studied him.
"Do you know why I'm here?"
He looked nervous.
"No, sir."
I extended my hand.
"To thank you."
He stared.
"For what?"
"For refusing to send my grandsons into that storm."
He shook my hand.
"Anyone would have done it."
I thought of Martin.
Of the waiter who'd watched.
Of the guests who'd looked away.
"No," I said quietly. "Not everyone."
Ethan looked down.
"I couldn't just leave them outside."
I smiled.
"And that tells me everything I need to know about you."
He looked surprised.
I continued.
"Samuel will be contacting the hotel owners about recognizing your actions."
His eyes widened.
"Sir, I don't need anything."
"I know."
I squeezed his hand.
"That's why you deserve it."
Later, Samuel brought more information.
The financial investigation had uncovered a network of accounts connected to Daniel, Victor, and Martin.
Money had been moved through several businesses.
Some of those businesses had no legitimate activity.
Investigators were now examining whether Emily had been forced to sign documents or whether her identity had been used without consent.
I listened carefully.
Then asked the only question that mattered to me.
"Have they found her?"
Samuel shook his head.
"Not yet."
I closed my eyes.
Every hour felt unbearable.
I imagined Emily alone.
Frightened.
Wondering whether her sons were safe.
I wanted to reach across the world and tell her.
They're here.
They're alive.
I'm taking care of them.
But I couldn't.
Not yet.
That afternoon, Detective Bennett called.
Investigators had obtained permission to search the isolated estate connected to Victor.
I felt my heart hammer.
"Are they going now?"
"They're acting on the lead."
I gripped the phone.
"Please call me."
"I will."
I spent the next several hours walking through the hotel suite.
Jack noticed.
"Grandpa?"
I stopped.
"Yes?"
"Are you worried?"
I looked at him.
I could have lied.
I could have told him everything was fine.
But he deserved honesty.
"A little."
He came closer.
"About Mommy?"
I nodded.
He looked down.
Then he reached for my hand.
"She's brave."
My eyes filled.
"I know."
Jack squeezed my fingers.
"She'll keep fighting."
I knelt.
"You're right."
He leaned forward and hugged me.
For a moment, I felt as though our roles had reversed.
The child was comforting the adult.
I held him gently.
Then whispered, "Thank you."
He nodded.
"You're welcome."
That evening, the call finally came.
Detective Bennett's voice sounded strained.
"Richard, the search is complete."
I stood.
"Did you find her?"
There was a pause.
"We found evidence that someone had been held at the property."
My knees weakened.
"Someone?"
"Yes."
I gripped the phone.
"Was it Emily?"
"We're working to confirm that."
My chest tightened.
"What evidence?"
"Personal items. Clothing. Handwritten notes."
I covered my mouth.
Then she said, "We found a photograph."
I froze.
"Of what?"
"A young woman holding two little boys."
My vision blurred.
I whispered, "Emily."
The detective continued.
"There's writing on the back."
I gripped the phone.
"What does it say?"
She read it carefully.
"Jack and Ben, if you ever see this, remember that Mommy never stopped looking for you."
I sank into a chair.
My daughter had been there.
She had left a message for her boys.
But where was she now?
I forced myself to speak.
"Was there anything else?"
Detective Bennett hesitated.
"Yes."
My heart pounded.
"What?"
"We found a recently used medical room."
I stared at the wall.
"A medical room?"
"Yes."
I could barely breathe.
"Why?"
The detective's voice softened.
"Richard, we're concerned that Emily may have been injured or seriously ill while she was held there."
I closed my eyes.
May you like
Then I heard her next words.
"And we found records suggesting someone transported her away from the estate less than forty-eight hours ago."
