Chapter 9 - the gala Helen refused to cancel)
Graham wanted the gala canceled.
Helen insisted it continue.
Her explanation was clever.
Hundreds of donors, journalists, politicians, and foundation partners were already traveling to the estate.
Canceling would create another media frenzy.
Continuing would allow Graham to make a public appeal for Noah.
Jonah believed there was another reason.
Helen needed the mansion crowded.
Noise created cover.
Guests created confusion.
Security had to divide its attention.
"If they intend to move Noah," Jonah said, "the gala is perfect."
Graham stared through the library window.
"So we let it happen?"
"We make them believe we're letting it happen."
The police established hidden teams around the property.
Every vehicle leaving the estate would be searched.
Plainclothes officers joined the catering staff.
Thermal cameras monitored the basement.
Jonah placed additional cameras in the east and north halls.
Helen was not informed.
Marianne agreed to attend.
Graham initially refused.
Then Jonah explained why they needed her.
"Helen thinks Marianne is still afraid."
"I am afraid," Marianne said.
Graham did not look at her.
"Good," Jonah replied. "Make her believe you are more afraid of her than of us."
Marianne wore the red dress Helen had selected for her weeks earlier.
At 7:00 p.m., the ballroom filled.
Graham stood beneath chandeliers greeting guests while inside he felt like he was screaming.
Every laugh offended him.
Every glass of champagne looked obscene.
His child was missing.
People kept telling him how brave he was.
He wanted to throw them out.
Instead he waited.
At 7:43, Helen approached Marianne near the staircase.
Jonah listened through the microphone hidden in Marianne's necklace.
"You look pale," Helen said.
"I haven't been sleeping."
"Neither has Graham."
"Have you heard anything?"
"About?"
"Noah."
Helen paused.
"Careful."
Marianne lowered her voice.
"I want to know he's alive."
"You are not in a position to want things."
"Then what am I supposed to do?"
"Keep Graham downstairs until nine."
"Why nine?"
Helen walked away.
Jonah heard enough.
He called Graham.
"They're moving Noah before nine."
At 7:51, Graham left the ballroom.
Helen noticed.
Marianne stepped into her path.
"You wanted me to keep him downstairs."
Helen tried to move around her.
Marianne blocked her.
"Dance with me."
Helen stared.
"What?"
"People are watching."
It worked.
For twenty seconds.
Graham reached the east hallway.
Nothing.
Jonah joined him.
"North side."
They crossed toward the old north corridor.
One of Jonah's new cameras had stopped transmitting.
Not failed.
Disconnected.
They found the wire cut.
Then Graham heard something.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
Pause.
Knock.
Knock.
He stopped.
Jonah turned.
"What?"
Graham raised a hand.
Again.
Three knocks.
Pause.
Two.
Graham's face changed.
"Noah told me about this."
"What?"
"Before he disappeared. He said someone was knocking in the wall."
They ran toward the sound.
The hallway appeared normal.
White decorative panels.
Warm sconces.
Red carpet.
Graham put his ear against the wall.
"Noah?"
Nothing.
He hit the panel.
"Noah!"
A faint sound answered.
"Dad."
Graham staggered backward.
Jonah grabbed him.
"Where is he?"
"There."
Graham pointed at the wall.
Jonah called the police team.
Graham did not wait.
A display sledgehammer sat inside a nearby renovation exhibit prepared for one of the foundation's restoration projects.
Graham grabbed it.
Jonah shouted, "Graham, wait."
Graham swung.
The first strike cracked the decorative panel.
Guests in the ballroom heard it.
The second shattered plaster.
Security rushed toward them.
Helen broke away from Marianne.
The third strike opened a dark hole.
Cold air poured out.
Graham dropped the hammer.
Behind broken plaster and old wooden framing, a pale face appeared.
"Dad..."
May you like
Graham's knees nearly gave out.
And twenty feet away, Helen Ward stopped walking.
