Chapter 8
Arthur refused to take the children anywhere near Daniel.
Police agreed.
Ethan and Maya were moved to another protected location.
Arthur hugged them before leaving.
Ethan grabbed his jacket.
“Don’t go.”
Arthur crouched.
“I have to help the police.”
“He’ll hurt you.”
“I’m going to be careful.”
Maya wrapped both arms around his neck.
“Come back.”
Arthur held her tightly.
“I will.”
Police surrounded the old family house before entering.
The property had been empty for years.
The new owner lived overseas and rarely visited.
Daniel had apparently been using it secretly.
Arthur remained in an unmarked vehicle while officers searched.
They found Victoria in the basement.
Alive.
Daniel was gone.
Again.
Arthur entered after the house was cleared.
Victoria was being treated by paramedics.
When she saw Arthur, she started crying.
“I’m sorry.”
Arthur stopped several feet away.
Victoria shook her head.
“I know that means nothing.”
Arthur said nothing.
“He was going to kill me.”
“Why?”
“Because I gave you the tape.”
Arthur looked around the basement.
Photos covered one wall.
Pictures of Arthur growing up.
Arthur’s father.
His mother.
And dozens of recent photographs of Ethan and Maya.
Daniel had built his entire life around them.
Victoria whispered, “There’s another room.”
Police opened a locked door behind a bookshelf.
Inside was Daniel’s real archive.
Files filled cabinets.
At the center was a table.
On it sat an old portable recorder.
A label read:
Mom — Full Copy.
Arthur stared.
“The tape Victoria gave us was incomplete.”
Detective Harris carefully bagged the recorder.
Hours later, investigators restored the recording.
Arthur listened.
His mother spoke for nearly twelve minutes.
She described Daniel’s anger.
His threats.
His belief that Arthur had taken everything from him simply by being born.
Then came the final revelation.
“I told Daniel today that I changed my will.”
Arthur looked at Harris.
His mother continued.
“If anything happens to me, Daniel receives nothing.”
Arthur swallowed.
“I know he followed me last night. I saw his car.”
The recording crackled.
“I’m going to your father. We’re going to the police together.”
Arthur closed his eyes.
She never made it.
Then her voice softened.
“Arthur must never believe this is his fault.”
Arthur covered his face.
The recording ended.
Harris switched it off.
“This strengthens the old case.”
“But it’s not enough.”
“No.”
Daniel had admitted following her.
But there was still no proof he caused the crash.
Then Harris received a call.
His expression changed.
“What?”
He listened.
Then looked at Arthur.
“We found the car.”
“What car?”
“The vehicle Daniel owned the year your mother died.”
Arthur stared at him.
“It still exists?”
“Apparently.”
Police had discovered it in a private storage facility rented under another name.
Forensic investigators found old damage on the front bumper.
Paint fragments remained deep inside a damaged section.
Preliminary analysis suggested the paint color matched Arthur’s mother’s car.
Arthur felt his legs weaken.
Daniel may have struck her vehicle.
Suddenly, Harris’s phone rang again.
This time, it was the officers protecting Ethan and Maya.
Harris answered.
His face immediately became serious.
“What do you mean they’re gone?”
Arthur grabbed his arm.
“What?”
Harris put the call on speaker.
An officer spoke quickly.
“There was a fire alarm. We evacuated the building. During the confusion, someone dressed as emergency personnel approached the children.”
Arthur felt his heart stop.
“Where are Ethan and Maya?”
“We’re searching.”
Arthur shouted, “Where are my children?”
Then his own phone rang.
Daniel.
Arthur answered.
May you like
Daniel’s voice was almost cheerful.
“Now we can finally talk like brothers.”
