Chapter 12 - THE SAFE HOUSE
Sarah moved Emma and Lily to a secure location.
The house belonged to an officer's family.
It was bright, quiet, and completely unfamiliar.
Lily thought they were on an adventure.
Emma wished she could believe that.
She sat beside the window while Sarah examined the flash drive.
Daniel remained outside.
Emma had not forgiven him.
But she had stopped asking him to leave.
He knew his family better than anyone.
Sarah finally looked up.
"We found something."
Emma stood.
"What?"
"There were financial transfers."
"From Margaret?"
"Yes."
Sarah showed her the records.
Money had been sent to investigators, hospital consultants, and a private legal firm.
But one transfer stood out.
It had been made six years ago.
The day after Lily was born.
The recipient was Daniel.
Emma stared at him through the window.
"Why would they pay him?"
Sarah shook her head.
"We don't know yet."
Daniel entered.
Emma held up the document.
"Explain."
Daniel stared at it.
His face went pale.
"I forgot about that."
"You forgot?"
"My father paid me to sign the custody agreement."
Emma felt betrayed again.
"You signed?"
"I was young."
"You were thirty-two."
Daniel couldn't argue.
He explained that his father had convinced him the agreement was temporary.
He had been told it was designed to protect Lily.
But after Lily was born, Daniel regretted signing.
He tried to undo it.
His father threatened him.
Emma listened.
She wanted to hate him.
Part of her did.
But another part realized something important.
Daniel had been controlled by fear.
That didn't excuse him.
But it explained his silence.
Sarah interrupted.
"We need to move again."
Emma looked at her.
"Why?"
Sarah showed her a new message.
Victor had disappeared.
And the location of the original records had been compromised.
May you like
Someone was coming.
Again.
