Chapter 13: The Last Place They Took My Brother
"Missing? What do you mean, missing?""
Detective Bennett was already moving toward the door.
"The facility reported that Daniel was removed from his room sometime between midnight and 2:00 a.m. The security cameras were disabled.""
I grabbed my jacket.
"Then we find him.""
"Michael, wait.""
"I've waited eleven months. I'm not waiting another minute.""
She turned toward Rebecca.
"Do you know where Richard might take him?""
Rebecca hesitated.
"There's an old property outside Chattanooga. My father used to call it the family retreat.""
"What's the address?""
"I don't know the street number. But I remember the road. There was a red barn and a big water tower.""
Detective Bennett immediately called her team.
Within twenty minutes, officers were searching property records connected to Richard Hayes.
Meanwhile, I called Emily.
She answered on the first ring.
"Michael, the bank just called. They said the withdrawal request is being investigated.""
"Good. Don't speak to Richard. Don't sign anything else.""
"I'm so sorry.""
"Emily, listen to me. This isn't your fault.""
"But I gave him my account information.""
"You trusted someone who pretended to love you. That doesn't make you responsible for his actions.""
She began crying.
"I want to help.""
"You already are. Stay with your mother and follow the detective's instructions.""
After ending the call, I looked at Rebecca.
She was sitting silently in the back of the police vehicle, staring at the photograph of Daniel.
"Are you afraid of him?"" I asked.
She nodded.
"He's my father. But I don't think he loves me.""
I thought about Emily standing beside Richard at graduation.
I thought about the way she had pushed my flowers against my chest.
Then I looked at Rebecca.
"Listen to me. Whatever Richard has told you, none of this is your fault. You're not responsible for making him happy.""
She wiped her eyes.
"Do you think Emily will hate me?""
"Why would she?""
"Because I'm his daughter.""
I shook my head.
"You're a child who deserves protection. That's all.""
An officer approached Detective Bennett.
"We found something.""
She took the paper from him.
A property deed.
Richard owned a farmhouse outside Chattanooga through a company registered under Thomas Reed's name.
The address matched Rebecca's description.
Detective Bennett looked at me.
"That's probably where he's taken Daniel.""
"Then let's go.""
She nodded.
"But you stay behind the officers. Understood?""
I agreed.
The drive took nearly two hours.
The farmhouse sat at the end of a gravel road, surrounded by thick trees. A red barn stood behind the main building, and a water tower rose above the property.
Rebecca stared through the window.
"That's it.""
Police vehicles stopped several hundred feet from the house.
Detective Bennett ordered everyone to wait while officers approached.
I watched through the windshield.
One officer knocked.
No answer.
Another moved toward the side entrance.
Then a third officer shouted.
"Police! Open the door!""
A loud crash came from inside.
Detective Bennett immediately ordered the team forward.
I stayed beside the vehicle, gripping my phone.
Then I heard a voice.
"Michael!""
I turned.
A man stood in the doorway.
He was thin, leaning heavily on a metal walking frame.
His hair was gray.
A deep scar crossed his forehead.
But his eyes were unmistakable.
Daniel.
My brother.
For eleven months, I'd believed he was dead.
Now he was standing twenty yards away.
"Daniel!""
I ran toward him.
An officer tried to stop me, but Detective Bennett gave a quick nod.
I reached my brother and wrapped my arms around him.
He nearly collapsed against me.
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then Daniel whispered:
"You're late, idiot.""
I laughed and cried at the same time.
"You're supposed to be dead, you stubborn bastard.""
He smiled weakly.
"I heard.""
I held his shoulders.
"Why didn't you contact me?""
His expression changed.
"Richard told me you were dead.""
I stared at him.
"What?""
"He said your cancer had progressed. He showed me a newspaper obituary with your name.""
My blood ran cold.
"He told you I was dead?""
Daniel nodded.
"He said Emily and Sarah had moved away. He told me nobody wanted me back.""
I looked toward Detective Bennett.
She was speaking with officers near the front door.
"Where is Richard?""
Daniel glanced toward the farmhouse.
"He's gone.""
"When?""
"About twenty minutes ago.""
I turned.
An officer came running toward us.
"Detective! The suspect escaped through the rear property line.""
Detective Bennett swore under her breath.
Daniel gripped my arm.
"Michael, listen. Richard has the original documents.""
"What documents?""
"The insurance agreements. The forged medical records. Everything.""
"Where?""
Daniel looked toward the barn.
"Inside the red toolbox.""
Officers rushed toward it.
One returned several minutes later carrying a thick metal case.
Daniel nodded.
"That's it.""
Detective Bennett opened the case.
Inside were original contracts, bank records, identity documents, and several sealed envelopes.
She examined the first document.
Then her expression hardened.
"Mr. Carter, I think we've found the evidence we've been looking for.""
But Daniel wasn't looking at the documents.
He was staring at Rebecca.
"Who's that girl?""
Rebecca stepped forward.
"I'm Rebecca.""
Daniel's face changed.
"Richard's daughter?""
She nodded.
Daniel looked at me.
"Then there's something you both need to know.""
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded letter.
"Richard didn't abandon Emily because he didn't want children.""
I stared at him.
"Then why?""
Daniel opened the letter.
"Because he was trying to hide something that happened before Emily was born.""
May you like
He looked directly at Rebecca.
"And it has something to do with your mother.""
