Chapter 6 - THE WOMAN IN THE HOUSE
I ran.
The others followed.
We reached the library.
The children were gone.
My heart stopped.
"Noah!"
"Lily!"
No answer.
The room was empty.
A chair had been knocked over.
The window was open.
Vanessa rushed toward it.
"She took them."
"Who?"
"Mrs. Harper."
I felt something inside me snap.
We searched the mansion.
Every room.
Every corridor.
Nothing.
Then I saw the back door.
It was open.
Outside, tire tracks cut across the grass.
Michael grabbed my arm.
"Don't chase her alone."
"My children are out there."
"I know."
"Then move."
We ran toward the garage.
My car was missing.
I grabbed another vehicle.
Michael got in beside me.
Vanessa climbed into the back.
I drove.
The road disappeared behind us.
For several minutes, nobody spoke.
Then Michael said:
"There's an old guesthouse on the northern edge of the property."
"How do you know?"
"Because that's where Caldwell used to meet people."
"Could she have taken them there?"
"Yes."
Vanessa shook her head.
"No."
I looked at her through the mirror.
"Why?"
"Because Mrs. Harper wouldn't."
"How do you know?"
"Because she isn't working for Caldwell."
Michael turned.
"Then who?"
Vanessa looked at me.
"She works for someone else."
I slammed the brakes.
The car stopped.
"Who?"
Vanessa swallowed.
"Your mother."
I stared at her.
"My mother is dead."
"I know."
"Then stop saying things that don't make sense."
Vanessa shook her head.
"Your mother wasn't the person you thought she was."
Michael looked at her.
"Don't."
But she continued.
"Your mother knew Caldwell. She knew about the trust. She knew about Michael."
"And?"
"She also knew Noah's mother."
I stared at her.
"What does that have to do with my children?"
"Everything."
Michael suddenly opened the car door.
"There's something you're not being told."
I turned.
"What?"
He looked toward the road.
"The woman you think died with your father..."
He paused.
"She didn't."
My heart pounded.
"You're saying my mother is alive?"
Michael nodded.
"She's been watching this family for years."
I couldn't speak.
Then my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
A woman's voice came through.
"Daniel."
I froze.
I knew that voice.
It was older.
Weaker.
But unmistakable.
May you like
My mother's voice.
"Let my grandchildren go."
