Chapter 8: The Price of Getting My Son Back
“Absolutely not.””
Patricia's voice came through my phone.
I'd just shown her Vanessa's message.
“Michael, you cannot go there alone.””
“She's holding Noah.””
“I understand that.””
“Then what do you expect me to do?””
“I expect you to let the police handle the recovery.””
I looked at the photograph again.
Noah was holding his toy truck.
His small face was swollen from crying.
“I can't sit here while my son is frightened.””
Patricia's voice softened.
“I know. But that's exactly why Vanessa wants you to act without thinking.””
Detective Harris stood nearby.
He had already contacted officers in the area and arranged surveillance around Richard's building.
“Mr. Carter,” he said, “we're not going to leave your son in danger. But we need to know what Vanessa is demanding.””
“The original ownership documents.””
“Why?””
“Because Richard and Vanessa have been trying to transfer control of Meridian.””
Detective Harris exchanged a glance with Patricia.
“Do you have those documents?””
“Yes. They're in my home safe.””
“Then don't touch them.””
I frowned.
“Why?””
“Because if they're demanding documents connected to a fraudulent corporate transfer, they may be trying to destroy evidence or complete the transaction.””
I stared at him.
My company.
My son.
My wife.
Everything had become part of the same scheme.
I looked at the photograph again.
“Detective, I want to hear Noah's voice.””
He nodded.
“We'll request another call.””
I sent Vanessa a message.
Let me speak to my son. Then we'll discuss the documents.
Her response arrived seconds later.
You don't get to make demands anymore.
I felt my jaw tighten.
Another message appeared.
Richard says you have until six.
I looked at the clock.
It was 3:42 p.m.
Three hours.
Then my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
“Hello?””
“Michael?””
It was Dr. Reeves.
I immediately stood.
“Where is my son?””
“Listen to me. I need you to remain calm.””
“Where is Noah?””
“He's with Vanessa.””
“Why did you give her a false medical report?””
Silence.
Then he sighed.
“I made a serious mistake.””
“You forged a diagnosis.””
“I was asked to prepare a temporary assessment.””
“By whom?””
“Vanessa.””
“And you agreed?””
“She told me you were experiencing significant stress and that the children needed protection.””
“Did you examine me?””
“No.””
I closed my eyes.
“Then you knew the report was false.””
He didn't answer.
“Why are you involved with Noah?””
“Vanessa asked me to examine him.””
“For what?””
“She said he was having anxiety episodes.””
I felt cold.
“Did you examine him?””
“Yes.””
“What did you find?””
“Nothing concerning.””
“Then why is he there?””
“Michael, I think you need to understand something. Richard has been pressuring Vanessa. She believes she owes him.””
“Why?””
“I can't explain everything over the phone.””
“Then explain what you can.””
Dr. Reeves lowered his voice.
“Richard has been paying me.””
I gripped the phone.
“How much?””
“Forty thousand dollars.””
“For what?””
“To provide documentation supporting the family assessment.””
I stared at the floor.
The same man who had treated my children for years had accepted money to help separate them from me.
“Did you know they were trying to take Noah?””
“No.””
“Did you know Emily was being sent away?””
“I knew about Westbridge.””
I closed my eyes.
“Where are you now?””
“Not far from Richard's office.””
“Are you with Vanessa?””
“No. I left after she became upset.””
“Why?””
He hesitated.
“Because she asked me to give Noah something.””
My blood ran cold.
“What?””
“A sedative.””
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
“What did you give my son?””
“Nothing. I refused.””
I looked at Detective Harris.
He immediately stepped closer.
“Dr. Reeves,” I said, “you need to tell the police everything.””
“I will.””
“Now.””
He agreed.
Detective Harris took the phone and began asking questions.
I stepped away.
Patricia was already contacting the relevant medical authorities.
A few minutes later, Detective Harris returned.
“Dr. Reeves is cooperating. He says Vanessa requested medication to help Noah sleep during transportation.””
“Transportation where?””
“He doesn't know.””
I looked at the photograph.
Vanessa had planned to move Noah again.
Perhaps out of the state.
Perhaps somewhere the authorities wouldn't find him easily.
I felt sick.
Then Detective Harris's phone rang.
He listened for several seconds.
“Understood.””
He ended the call.
“We've received information from the building security team. Vanessa is preparing to leave.””
“Where is Noah?””
“Inside the apartment.””
“Then go in!””
“We're coordinating entry.””
I stepped toward him.
“Please don't let her leave.””
The detective nodded.
Within minutes, officers moved toward the building.
I watched the live location on a map.
One unit approached the front entrance.
Another covered the parking garage.
A third positioned itself near the service exit.
Then the radio crackled.
“Subject is attempting to leave.””
My heart stopped.
“Vehicle?””
“Black SUV.””
“Occupants?””
“Female driver. Child in rear passenger seat.””
I moved toward the door.
Detective Harris held up a hand.
“Wait.””
I couldn't breathe.
Then another voice came through the radio.
“Vehicle stopped. Driver detained.””
I closed my eyes.
“Child?””
A pause.
Then:
“Child is safe.””
I nearly collapsed.
“Is that my son?””
The detective listened.
Then he looked at me.
“Yes, Mr. Carter. We have Noah.””
I covered my face with both hands.
For the first time in hours, I allowed myself to cry.
Patricia placed a hand on my shoulder.
“He's safe.””
I nodded.
“Thank you.””
A few minutes later, an officer escorted Noah into the building where we were waiting.
He was wearing the same blue sweater from the photograph.
His toy truck was still in his hand.
When he saw me, he ran.
“Daddy!””
I dropped to my knees.
He crashed into my arms.
I held him tightly.
“I'm here, buddy. I'm here.””
He began sobbing.
“I told Mommy I wanted you.””
I kissed his hair.
“I know.””
“She said you were in trouble.””
I closed my eyes.
“I'm okay.””
“She said you wouldn't come.””
I pulled back and looked at him.
“Listen to me, Noah. I will always come for you.””
He wrapped his arms around my neck.
“I don't want to go away again.””
“You won't.””
A paramedic checked him over.
He was frightened and exhausted, but physically unharmed.
When the assessment was complete, I carried him to the waiting vehicle.
Emily was on the phone.
“Dad?””
“Sweetheart, we found him.””
She began crying.
“Really?””
“Really.””
“Can I talk to him?””
I handed Noah the phone.
“Emily?””
“NOAH!””
“Emily!””
“Are you okay?””
“Daddy found me.””
“I know. I love you.””
“I love you too.””
When the call ended, Noah rested his head against my shoulder.
Then he whispered:
“Daddy, Mommy said I wasn't supposed to tell you about the papers.””
I looked down.
“What papers?””
He reached into the pocket of his little sweater.
He pulled out a folded piece of paper.
It was a drawing.
Three stick figures stood beneath a large yellow sun.
One was labeled DADDY.
Another was labeled MOMMY.
The third was labeled NOAH.
But there was a fourth figure.
A smaller one.
EMILY.
And underneath the drawing, in a child's uneven handwriting, were the words:
Mommy says we will have a new family soon.
I stared at the paper.
“Buddy, when did you draw this?””
“Yesterday.””
“Did Mommy ask you to?””
He shook his head.
“She told me we were going to live with Uncle Richard.””
I looked at Detective Harris.
“Did Vanessa mention where she planned to take him?””
The detective shook his head.
“We're investigating.””
I folded the drawing carefully and placed it in my pocket.
Then my phone rang.
Patricia.
“Michael, we have a problem.””
I closed my eyes.
“What now?””
“Richard has filed an emergency corporate injunction.””
“On what grounds?””
“He claims you're attempting to liquidate company assets and remove funds from Meridian without authorization.””
I stared ahead.
“That's ridiculous.””
“I know. But he's attached the medical declaration and a statement claiming you're experiencing severe cognitive impairment.””
“Can he do that?””
“He can file it. The court will decide whether there's sufficient evidence.””
I looked at Noah.
“What's he trying to achieve?””
“Immediate suspension of your executive authority.””
I laughed bitterly.
“He's trying to steal the company.””
“Yes.””
“Can we stop him?””
“We're preparing a response. But Michael, there's another complication.””
“What?””
“Richard has submitted a document claiming that you voluntarily transferred your controlling shares to Silver Oak Consulting six months ago.””
My stomach dropped.
“That's impossible.””
“I know. But he has a notarized certificate.””
I looked toward Detective Harris.
“Who notarized it?””
Patricia hesitated.
“Dr. Samuel Reeves.””
I stared at the phone.
“Reeves is a doctor.””
“Apparently, he also witnessed the document.””
I closed my eyes.
The man had signed a medical report claiming I was mentally unfit.
Now he had witnessed a document claiming I'd voluntarily surrendered my company.
“How many people are involved in this?””
“I don't know yet.””
Then Patricia said something that made the situation even worse.
“Michael, the corporate filing has already been accepted for preliminary review. Richard has a hearing scheduled tomorrow morning.””
I looked at Noah.
He was asleep against my chest.
I had recovered my son.
But my wife and business partner were still trying to take everything else.
“Patricia, prepare every document we have.””
“I'm doing that.””
“And find out where the original share certificates are.””
“They should be in your home safe.””
I went still.
“Should be?””
“Yes.””
I remembered something.
Vanessa had asked me to move the company documents months earlier.
She'd said the safe needed servicing.
I had given her the combination.
I called home.
Mrs. Collins answered.
“Mr. Carter?””
“Is everything all right?””
“Yes, sir. Emily is upstairs.””
“Can you check the office safe?””
“Of course.””
I waited.
A minute passed.
Then another.
Mrs. Collins returned to the phone.
“Sir?””
“Yes?””
“The safe is open.””
My stomach tightened.
“What's missing?””
She hesitated.
“Several folders. The original share certificates. And there's an envelope with your name on it.””
“Read it.””
She unfolded the paper.
Then she spoke slowly.
“Michael, if you're hearing this, you've already lost.””
I closed my eyes.
It was Vanessa's handwriting.
And underneath the sentence was a final line.
Ask your daughter what she did with the original recording.
I looked toward the window.
“What recording?””
Mrs. Collins was silent.
Then she said:
“Sir, there's a second envelope.””
“What does it say?””
“Emily Carter.””
My blood ran cold.
“Open it.””
She did.
A few seconds later, she whispered:
“It's a photograph of Emily with Richard.””
I stopped breathing.
“When was it taken?””
“There's a date on the back.””
“What date?””
“Eight months ago.””
Eight months.
Before Emily found the financial records.
Before the boarding school application.
Before the first accusation.
I looked at Detective Harris.
“Something happened before all of this.””
May you like
He nodded.
“Then we'd better find out what.””
