Chapter 4: The Woman Who Escaped
The call ended before James could ask another question.
For three seconds, nobody moved.
The police station remained frozen around him.
Then Detective Lopez grabbed the phone.
“Trace that number.””
The officer at the desk immediately turned back to his computer.
James stared at the blank screen of the phone.
A wife.
A hidden marriage.
Another child.
Another victim.
Too many secrets.
“Do you think she’s telling the truth?”” Maria asked.
James looked toward the interview room where Ethan sat waiting.
“I think a seven-year-old boy just led us to a woman everyone thought was dead.””
He paused.
“And I think Caleb Voss has been lying for a very long time.””
The trace came back less than a minute later.
A location.
A small house on the edge of town.
James grabbed his jacket.
“Let’s go.””
Maria followed.
But before they left, James stopped.
“Keep Ethan here. No one lets him out of sight.””
The officer nodded.
“Understood.””
At the small house, the porch light flickered.
The neighborhood was quiet.
Too quiet.
James approached the door.
“Police department. We need to speak with you.””
Nothing.
He knocked again.
“Ma’am, we know you called.””
A few seconds passed.
Then the door opened slightly.
A woman stood behind it.
She looked exhausted.
Her hair was messy.
Her hands were shaking.
“I didn’t think you would actually come.””
James lowered his voice.
“You said you knew Caleb Voss.””
The woman looked down.
“My name is Rachel Voss.””
Maria immediately noticed.
“Your last name is Voss?””
Rachel nodded.
“I was married to him.””
James studied her.
“Caleb told everyone he was single.””
A bitter smile crossed her face.
“That’s because Caleb liked creating new lives.””
She opened the door.
“Come inside.””
The living room was small.
Nothing like the image Caleb had created.
No luxury.
No signs of a wealthy family.
Just a woman who looked like she had spent years hiding.
James sat across from her.
“How long were you married?””
“Eight years.””
“And when did you leave?””
Rachel looked toward the window.
“Six months ago.””
The same time Olivia disappeared.
James noticed.
“Why?””
Rachel’s eyes filled.
“Because I found out what he was doing.””
Maria leaned forward.
“What was he doing?””
Rachel hesitated.
Then walked to a cabinet.
She pulled out a folder.
Inside were photographs.
Not graphic.
But enough.
Pictures of houses.
Storage buildings.
Children’s belongings.
James felt his expression change.
“He was collecting evidence.””
Rachel nodded.
“He wanted control.””
“Over who?””
“Everyone.””
She took a deep breath.
“Caleb never saw people as family.””
James looked at her.
“Then what did he see them as?””
Rachel whispered:
“Possessions.””
The room went silent.
“Why didn’t you go to the police?””
Rachel laughed sadly.
“I tried.””
James frowned.
“When?””
“Three years ago.””
She looked down.
“He convinced everyone I was unstable.””
Maria’s expression hardened.
“He made you look unreliable.””
Rachel nodded.
“He was charming. He knew exactly what to say.””
James looked at the photos again.
“Why call tonight?””
Rachel’s face changed.
“Because Ethan escaped.””
James waited.
Rachel gripped her hands together.
“Caleb always had a backup plan.””
“What kind of plan?””
Rachel looked terrified.
“If anyone got close to finding the underground room…”
She stopped.
James leaned forward.
“What?””
“He would leave.””
Maria frowned.
“Leave where?””
Rachel looked toward the door.
“Somewhere nobody could find him.””
James stood.
“Where?””
Rachel’s voice dropped.
“He had another property.””
A cold feeling moved through James.
“Where?””
Rachel walked to the table and placed a piece of paper down.
An address.
James looked at it.
Then his phone rang.
It was the station.
He answered immediately.
“Carter.””
The officer’s voice was urgent.
“Detective, you need to come back.””
“Why?””
A pause.
Then:
“Ethan disappeared.””
James froze.
“What?””
“He was in the waiting area.””
The officer swallowed.
“Someone came inside.””
James’s heart sank.
“Who?””
The officer looked at the security footage.
May you like
And his voice became almost a whisper.
“It was Caleb Voss.””
