Chapter 8: The Passports in the Nursery
I couldn't breathe.
"What did you just say?""
Vanessa looked terrified.
"Margaret has the passports.""
I shook my head.
"That's impossible. I never applied for passports.""
"She didn't need you to.""
Rachel immediately opened her laptop.
"Where did she get them?""
Vanessa glanced toward Michael.
"She has connections.""
Michael's expression hardened.
"That isn't an answer.""
Vanessa swallowed.
"She used a private document service. She told me the applications were already approved.""
Rachel began typing rapidly.
"Did you see the passports?""
Vanessa nodded.
"Last month. She showed me pictures.""
My fingers tightened around Piper's blanket.
"Pictures of my daughters' passports?""
"Yes.""
"Where are they?""
Vanessa shook her head.
"I don't know.""
I turned toward Michael.
"Can they use them to take my babies?""
Michael spoke carefully.
"An unauthorized document doesn't automatically grant anyone permission to travel with your children. We need to verify what was issued and alert the relevant authorities.""
Rachel was already making calls.
"Please send me the names and dates of birth. I'll request an urgent verification.""
I gave her the information.
Then I remembered something.
The silver picture frame.
The package.
The paperwork Margaret had sent.
"Wait.""
Everyone looked at me.
"There was something else in the nursery. A small envelope hidden inside the back of the picture frame.""
Rachel frowned.
"What was inside?""
"I never checked. I thought it was a warranty card.""
Michael turned to the officer.
"We need to secure that residence.""
The officer received another radio message.
Then he looked at me.
"Mrs. Mitchell, officers are already inside your house.""
"Did they find the frame?""
"Not yet.""
Tyler suddenly stepped forward.
"I know where it is.""
I turned toward him.
"How?""
He looked ashamed.
"Because I put it there.""
My heart stopped.
"What?""
Tyler rubbed his forehead.
"Mom gave me the package before I left for the ship. She said it was a family keepsake. She asked me to hide a small envelope inside the frame before sending it to you.""
I stared at him.
"You sent me a package containing something you didn't even know?""
"I thought it was harmless.""
"Tyler, our daughters' names were on those documents!""
"I didn't know that!""
I stepped away.
"That's always your answer.""
He lowered his head.
Michael interrupted.
"Tyler, what exactly did your mother tell you?""
Tyler took a breath.
"She said Dad had left something important for his grandchildren. She wanted the frame delivered before the girls were born.""
Rachel looked up.
"Did you open the envelope?""
"No.""
"Did you see any paperwork?""
"No.""
I looked at him.
"You couldn't even be bothered to call your wife when our daughters were born, but you had time to arrange secret packages for your mother?""
He flinched.
"I know I failed you.""
"You didn't just fail me. You put our children in danger.""
For once, he didn't argue.
A few minutes later, the officer's phone rang.
He listened.
Then he nodded.
"We found the frame.""
I nearly collapsed with relief.
"Where?""
"In the nursery. Behind the dresser.""
"Is the envelope there?""
"Yes. It's sealed.""
Michael exhaled.
"Good. Don't open it until the appropriate investigators arrive.""
The officer nodded.
But Rachel was staring at her computer.
"Michael.""
He turned.
"What?""
"There's a problem.""
She rotated the screen.
A travel reservation appeared.
Two infant passengers.
Departure: Miami International Airport.
Destination: Nassau, Bahamas.
Travel date: Tonight.
The passenger names were Piper Mitchell and Poppy Mitchell.
I felt dizzy.
"Who booked it?""
Rachel scrolled down.
The booking was made through a private travel agency.
The payer was Margaret Mitchell.
The accompanying adult was listed as Vanessa Bennett.
Vanessa began crying.
"I didn't book that.""
Michael stared at her.
"Then why are you listed as the accompanying adult?""
"Because Margaret told me she would take care of everything.""
I looked at her.
"You knew about the trip?""
She shook her head.
"She said we were going to visit family. She never told me she was taking your daughters.""
Rachel pointed to another line.
"There's also a return reservation.""
I leaned forward.
"Where?""
Rachel swallowed.
"There isn't one.""
The room went silent.
Tyler grabbed the table.
"She was going to take my daughters out of the country and never bring them back?""
Michael turned toward the officer.
"We need to make sure the airport authorities receive this information immediately.""
The officer began making calls.
I looked at Vanessa.
"Why would Margaret want you to accompany my children?""
Vanessa wiped her face.
"Because she needed someone whose identity wouldn't immediately raise suspicion.""
"And your baby?""
She hesitated.
"She promised to bring him with us.""
I looked at the photograph.
Margaret holding the little boy.
"Why?""
Vanessa's voice dropped.
"She said he was part of the plan.""
My stomach twisted.
Rachel closed the laptop.
"There's something else. The trust documents identify two children as potential beneficiaries, but one of the supporting birth records appears to have been altered.""
Michael frowned.
"Which record?""
Rachel looked directly at Vanessa.
"Her son's.""
Vanessa covered her mouth.
Then she whispered:
"That's because he isn't Margaret's grandson.""
Tyler stared at her.
"Then whose baby is he?""
Vanessa looked down.
May you like
And finally gave us an answer.
"He's Margaret's.""
