Chapter 11 - The Empty Box
The bank opened the safe-deposit room under police supervision.
Daniel inserted his key.
The box was empty.
He stared at the metal tray.
There should have been estate papers.
Original trust documents.
Two sealed letters from his parents.
Gone.
"Who accessed this?" Morales asked.
The bank manager checked records.
"Mr. Reed accessed it four months ago."
Daniel shook his head.
"No."
The manager turned the monitor.
A signature appeared.
Daniel's name.
Not his handwriting.
Security footage had been retained.
Kyle.
He used a forged driver's license.
Megan said, "How did he have the key?"
Daniel thought back.
Then he knew.
"Vanessa."
She had moved his documents "for security."
She had asked where he kept spare keys.
He had told her.
Every ordinary moment looked different now.
Daniel did not want to open it.
He did anyway.
Inside were school schedules.
Medical records.
Photos taken from across the street.
A copy of Lily's birth certificate.
And notes about her trust.
Aaron's face tightened.
"This is premeditated."
Morales found a passport application.
Lily's name.
Vanessa listed as mother.
The mother's signature line was forged.
Daniel looked at the destination field.
CAYMAN ISLANDS.
His mouth went dry.
"When was this made?"
"Six weeks ago," Morales said.
Megan whispered, "They were going to take her?"
Daniel could not answer.
"Detective."
They walked over.
A small backpack.
Cash.
And two plane tickets.
One in Vanessa Reed's name.
One in Lily Reed's.
Departure date: Tuesday.
Tomorrow.
Daniel felt the room narrow.
Morales immediately called for a locate order.
She was not there.
Her phone was off.
Daniel's voice cracked.
"Lily is with Megan."
"Keep her there," Morales said. "Do not move her."
Daniel called.
Megan answered on the first ring.
"She's right beside me."
"Lock the doors."
"They're locked."
"Do not open them for anyone."
"Daniel, what's happening?"
Before he could answer, Megan gasped.
"What?"
"Megan?"
"I'm looking outside."
"What do you see?"
"A gray SUV."
Daniel stopped breathing.
The same kind Mr. Cho had seen.
"Megan, get away from the windows."
May you like
"Dad?"
And behind her, glass shattered.
