Chapter 9 - The Voice That Sounded Like Daniel
The call had been convincing enough to fool the clinic’s receptionist.
The caller knew Daniel’s date of birth, the twins’ insurance information, and the private family code used for pickups.
But there was one problem.
Noah and Mia were not at the clinic.
Whoever made the call thought they were.
“That means their plan was already in motion,” Detective Ortiz said.
Daniel looked at Charles.
Charles lifted both hands. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Marcus pulled Daniel aside.
“There’s voice-cloning software on Mercer Dynamics servers. Your media team uses it for translated training videos.”
Daniel’s jaw tightened. “Who has access?”
“Senior executives.”
“Charles.”
“And Vanessa. You approved her consultant credentials last month.”
Daniel closed his eyes briefly.
He had done it because she said she wanted to help with the company foundation.
Every favor he had given her now looked like a weapon.
Vanessa still had not been found.
Police searched the property. Her car remained in the garage. Her purse was in her bedroom.
Sarah knew where she had gone.
“The passage.”
Marcus nodded.
They returned to the nursery and entered through the vent opening.
Halfway down the hidden corridor, Marcus found fresh footprints in the dust.
They led downward, past the basement, to a steel door hidden behind a shelving unit in the wine cellar.
Daniel had never seen it.
Marcus forced the lock.
Beyond it was an old service tunnel stretching beneath the backyard toward the detached carriage house.
On the floor lay Vanessa’s phone.
Its screen was cracked but still lit.
A message was open.
C: PLAN B. TAKE THE CHILDREN TONIGHT. DRIVER AT 11:40. NO MISTAKES.
Daniel stared at it.
“It’s Charles.”
Ortiz shook her head. “Maybe. We need to prove who ‘C’ is.”
Sarah heard a faint electronic beep.
She looked down.
Vanessa’s phone displayed a timer.
00:09.
00:08.
00:07.
Marcus grabbed it.
“Everybody out!”
May you like
They ran.
The explosion hit before they reached the stairs.
