Chapter 13: The Son Nobody Was Allowed to Find
"I'm your son.""
I gripped the phone so tightly my fingers hurt.
For fourteen years, I had believed I had lost one child.
Now I was discovering I had two sons.
"Where are you?"" I asked.
"Somewhere safe. At least, I think I am.""
"Who are you with?""
"My mother.""
I looked at Danielle.
She was staring at me, her lips trembling.
"What's your mother's name?"" I asked.
"Laura Mitchell.""
Danielle closed her eyes.
The boy continued.
"She told me my father died before I was born. But yesterday, I found a photograph of you.""
"Where?""
"In her bedroom. There was a box with your name on it.""
I swallowed.
"What else did you find?""
"Birth certificates. Hospital records. And a letter from Grandpa.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"What did the letter say?""
"That Noah and I were supposed to be separated because Grandpa believed having both of us together would make it easier for someone to steal the inheritance.""
Danielle stepped closer.
"Ask him where Noah is.""
"Do you know where your brother is?""
"Yes. He's here.""
"Are you with Noah?""
"No. But I saw him yesterday.""
My heart raced.
"Is he safe?""
Eli hesitated.
"Mom says Jonathan is going to make him sign something tomorrow. She says once he signs, everything will be finished.""
I looked at Officer Harris.
She immediately signaled to the tactical team.
"Listen to me, Eli. Your brother needs you. Can you help us find him?""
"I want to.""
"Then tell me where you are.""
He gave me an address.
It was a large property outside Atlanta, registered to a company owned by Laura.
Officer Harris recognized it immediately.
"We have a location.""
But before she could organize the operation, Eli spoke again.
"Dad?""
"Yes, son?""
"Can I ask you something?""
"Anything.""
"Did you really think I was dead?""
I closed my eyes.
"Yes.""
"Did you ever look for me?""
The question cut deeper than I expected.
"I didn't know you were alive, Eli. I swear. Someone told me both my sons were dead.""
There was silence.
Then he whispered, "Okay.""
I could hear the uncertainty in his voice.
I couldn't blame him.
He had spent fourteen years being told his father didn't exist.
"Can I meet you?"" he asked.
"Yes. I want nothing more than that.""
"Will Noah come too?""
I looked at Danielle.
"Yes. We're going to bring your brother home.""
The call ended.
Officer Harris began coordinating the operation.
Danielle approached me.
"Michael, there's something I should have told you years ago.""
I looked at her.
"What?""
"When I gave birth to the twins, your father told me one baby had died. But I heard another baby crying.""
I stared at her.
"Why didn't you question him?""
"I did. He told me I was confused because of the medication. Then he showed me a document claiming the second baby had died during delivery.""
Her eyes filled.
"I knew something was wrong, but I was recovering, and he controlled everything. By the time I could stand, both babies were gone.""
I took her hand.
"We'll find out the truth.""
Officer Harris approached.
"The address is confirmed. We have visual surveillance.""
She showed us a photograph.
Laura was standing outside the property.
Beside her was a teenage boy.
Eli.
He looked remarkably like Noah.
Then another vehicle entered the driveway.
Jonathan stepped out.
He was carrying a black briefcase.
Officer Harris enlarged the photograph.
"That's our suspect.""
I stared at Jonathan's face.
My former best friend.
The man who had stood beside me at my father's funeral.
The man who had told me to move on after Danielle died.
The man who had helped me raise Lily while secretly arranging her suffering.
I felt no friendship left.
Only rage.
Officer Harris gave the signal.
The tactical team moved.
Within minutes, officers surrounded the property.
A loudspeaker announced their presence.
"POLICE! COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS VISIBLE!""
I heard shouting.
Then a door slammed.
Eli appeared at an upstairs window.
He saw me standing behind the officers.
His eyes widened.
"DAD!""
I stepped forward.
"Eli! Stay inside!""
But Jonathan appeared behind him.
He grabbed the boy's shoulder and pulled him away from the window.
Officer Harris immediately ordered the team forward.
A minute later, Laura emerged from the front door.
Her hands were raised.
She was crying.
"Please don't hurt my boys!""
I rushed toward her.
"Where are Noah and Lily?""
Laura pointed toward the garage.
"Jonathan took them.""
"When?""
"Five minutes ago.""
Officer Harris looked at the tactical team.
"Which direction?""
Laura began shaking.
"He said he was taking them to the old railway warehouse.""
I grabbed her arm.
"Why are you helping him?""
She looked at me.
For the first time, I noticed the same small scar above her eyebrow that appeared in the photograph.
"I wasn't helping him anymore.""
"Then why didn't you stop him?""
She began crying.
"Because he has something I can't fight.""
"What?""
Laura looked directly at Danielle.
May you like
Then she whispered:
"Your father is alive, Michael. And he's the one holding the children.""
