Chapter 10 - The Bride Disappears)
Vanessa had not escaped by overpowering anyone.
Someone had released her.
Security video showed a federal transport officer entering her holding room at 4:12 a.m.
He presented legitimate credentials.
Signed transfer paperwork.
Walked Vanessa through three locked doors.
Then disappeared.
The officer’s identity belonged to a man who had died six months earlier.
Daniel watched the footage twice.
Vanessa did not appear willing.
She kept looking behind her.
At one point the fake officer grabbed her arm.
Naomi froze the frame.
“She was abducted.”
Daniel agreed.
Martin asked the obvious question.
“Why?”
Daniel looked at Rachel’s files.
“Because Pike failed.”
Or because Vanessa knew more than she admitted.
An alert went out.
Eight hours passed.
Nothing.
Then Daniel received a package.
It arrived at Eleanor’s farmhouse despite no one publicly knowing he had returned there.
Inside was Vanessa’s wedding ring.
And a phone.
The phone rang.
Daniel answered.
A distorted voice said, “Bring the archive.”
Daniel looked at Naomi.
She motioned for him to keep talking.
“Where is Vanessa?”
“Alive.”
“Let me hear her.”
A muffled sound.
Then Vanessa’s voice.
“Daniel, don’t.”
Something struck her.
She cried out.
Daniel gripped the phone.
“If you hurt her…”
The distorted voice interrupted.
“Midnight. Hawthorne Station. Alone.”
The line went dead.
Naomi immediately rejected the demand.
“You are not going alone.”
“They want Rachel’s archive.”
“We give them a copy.”
“They’ll know.”
“We give them something convincing enough.”
Daniel looked at Vanessa’s ring.
He still hated what she had done.
She had manipulated him.
Used him.
Locked Emma behind a wall.
But he could not let someone murder her.
Not when she might be the only living witness who could explain Haven.
At eleven forty-five, Daniel entered the abandoned Hawthorne rail station carrying a metal case.
Federal tactical teams surrounded the area covertly.
Naomi monitored his hidden microphone.
The old station smelled of rust and rain.
“Vanessa?”
No answer.
Daniel walked deeper.
A light switched on above the platform.
Vanessa sat tied to a chair.
Blood marked her lip.
A man stood behind her.
Judge Warren Colby.
Daniel stopped.
Colby looked almost ordinary.
Seventy years old.
Silver hair.
Tailored overcoat.
The same man who had attended Daniel’s childhood birthday parties.
The same man who sent flowers when Rachel died.
“Warren.”
Colby smiled.
“You look like your father when you’re angry.”
Daniel held up the case.
“Let her go.”
“After I verify the archive.”
Vanessa shook her head.
“Don’t give him anything.”
Colby struck her.
Daniel took one step forward.
Colby raised a pistol.
“That temper is why Charles never trusted you with Haven.”
Daniel froze.
“You knew my father.”
“Better than his sons did.”
“You killed Rachel.”
Colby smiled faintly.
“No.”
“Pike did.”
“Pike arranged the accident.”
Daniel’s chest tightened.
“On whose order?”
Colby’s expression changed.
Fear.
There it was again.
“Give me the drive.”
“Who ordered Rachel’s death?”
“You are asking questions your father spent twenty years learning not to ask.”
Daniel stepped closer.
“Who?”
Colby’s hand trembled slightly.
“Someone who already knows you’re here.”
Naomi’s voice whispered through Daniel’s hidden earpiece.
We have eyes. Hold position.
Daniel placed the case on the ground.
“Release Vanessa.”
Colby moved toward it.
Daniel waited.
Ten feet.
Eight.
Six.
Then Vanessa suddenly drove both feet backward into Colby’s knees.
He stumbled.
Daniel lunged.
The gun fired.
The bullet shattered a station window.
Federal agents stormed the platform.
Colby raised the weapon again.
Vanessa kicked the chair sideways.
Daniel slammed into Colby.
They crashed onto the concrete.
Colby’s pistol skidded away.
Agents surrounded them.
“Hands!”
Daniel rolled back.
Colby stared upward.
For the first time, he looked old.
Naomi cuffed him personally.
Vanessa was freed.
Daniel stood several feet away.
She looked at him.
He did not know what to say.
Finally Vanessa whispered, “I’m sorry.”
Daniel’s face remained cold.
“You’ll have a long time to explain that to Emma.”
Vanessa lowered her eyes.
Naomi picked up the metal case.
“What did we just buy?”
Daniel looked at Colby.
“A witness.”
Colby laughed.
“You bought nothing.”
Naomi faced him.
“You’re under arrest for kidnapping, conspiracy, obstruction, attempted murder, and several other charges I haven’t had time to enjoy listing.”
Colby smiled.
“You still think I’m afraid of prison.”
Daniel studied him.
“What are you afraid of?”
Colby looked directly at him.
Then at the dark windows surrounding the station.
“The person who knows Rachel’s archive isn’t complete.”
Daniel felt a chill.
“What’s missing?”
Colby’s smile vanished.
“The Mercer Ledger.”
Daniel frowned.
“I have the ledger.”
“No.”
Colby shook his head.
“You have Rachel’s copy.”
He leaned closer as agents lifted him.
“The real ledger contains every favor Haven ever bought.”
“Where is it?”
Colby laughed again.
“Ask Thomas.”
Daniel stared.
“My brother is dead.”
Colby stopped laughing.
“No, Daniel.”
May you like
His expression became almost pitying.
“He isn’t.”
