"Don't let them take you!"
Daniel looked down.
"Listen to me."
Noah shook his head.
"Please!"
Daniel crouched despite the handcuffs.
"You need to be brave for your mother."
The boy's tears rolled down his cheeks.
"I don't know how."
Daniel looked directly into his eyes.
"Yes, you do."
He paused.
"Your mother trusted you with something important. Don't let anyone take it from you."
Noah nodded.
Daniel stood.
Miller pulled him toward the corridor.
As they passed the missing-person wall, Daniel looked again at the covered photograph.
The corner of Michael's notice was still visible.
He stopped.
"Captain."
Harris turned.
"What?"
"Take Sarah's photograph down."
Harris frowned.
"Why?"
"Because it's covering something."
Harris glanced toward the wall.
For a split second, his expression revealed genuine alarm.
Then he turned to Riley.
"Get him out of here."
Miller pulled Daniel away.
But the damage was done.
Harris knew exactly what was behind the photograph.
And Daniel now knew that he knew.
A CHILD'S SECRET
Noah sat alone in the family room.
A paper plate with a sandwich rested on the table.
He had not touched it.
The room was small, with pale walls, a television mounted in one corner, and a box of toys beneath the window.
He looked at the door.
Then at the clock.
Then at the small backpack beside his chair.
His mother had told him to protect the blue envelope.
But Riley had taken it.
He felt as though he had failed her.
A knock came.
Emily opened the door.
"Hey, Noah."
He looked up.
"Where's Mr. Morgan?"
Emily hesitated.
"They took him downstairs."
"Is he okay?"
"I don't know."
Noah looked at the floor.
Emily sat beside him.
"Can I ask you something?"
He nodded.
"Did your mother tell you where the warehouse was?"
"Yes."
"Can you describe it?"
Noah looked toward the door.
"Are you going to tell Officer Riley?"
Emily shook her head.
"No."
Noah studied her face.
Then he whispered:
"It's near the old train tracks. There's a red sign. It says WESTBRIDGE."
Emily went still.
"Westbridge?"
Noah nodded.
"There's a big fence. And a gate with a number."
"What number?"
"Twenty-nine."
Emily slowly stood.
"Are you sure?"
Noah nodded.
"Mom said not to forget it."
Emily walked toward the door.
"Stay here."
Noah grabbed her sleeve.
"Please don't leave me."
Emily stopped.
She looked at the frightened child.
Then she looked down at the white card in his hand.
"You found it?"
Noah nodded.
Emily lowered her voice.
"Listen carefully. When I leave, wait five minutes. Then go through the side exit. Walk to the convenience store across the street."
"Why?"
"Because I want you somewhere safe."
"Where's my mom?"
Emily swallowed.
"I'm going to find out."
She opened the door.
Then she stopped and looked back.
"Noah?"
"Yes?"
"Your mother was right to trust you."
The boy stared at her.
For the first time, he felt a little less alone.
THE MAN IN THE BASEMENT
The station basement contained several holding rooms and a small interview area.
Daniel was placed in a metal chair.
Miller removed his handcuffs.
"Don't move."
Daniel looked at him.
"Are you the one who decides that?"
Miller ignored him.
Riley entered carrying the blue envelope.
He placed it on the table.
Daniel looked at it.
"Where's Captain Harris?"
"Busy."
"Doing what?"
"His job."
Daniel smiled.
"That's unfortunate."
Riley pulled out a chair.
"Let's talk."
"About Sarah?"
"About you."
Daniel leaned back.
"What about me?"
"Why did you come here?"
"I told you."
"You're hiding something."
"Everyone is."
Riley opened the envelope.
Daniel's expression changed.
"Don't."
Riley removed a photograph.
It showed Michael Bennett standing beside a younger Daniel.
Both men were smiling.
Behind them was a warehouse entrance.
The same red sign Noah had described.
WESTBRIDGE.
Riley placed the photograph on the table.
"Do you recognize this?"
Daniel looked at it.
"Yes."
"Where was it taken?"
"Westbridge."
"Why were you there?"
"An investigation."
"Which investigation?"
"Michael's."
Riley leaned closer.
"Seven years ago, Michael Bennett disappeared. You were the last federal investigator to see him. Isn't that right?"
Daniel said nothing.
Riley continued.
"Your report says you left the warehouse at 9:42 p.m. Michael was still alive."
"Correct."
"At 10:15 p.m., his vehicle was found abandoned."
"Correct."
"At 11:03 p.m., a call was made from your phone to a private number."
Daniel looked at him.
"Where did you get that information?"
Riley smiled.
"Records."
"Interesting."
"What's interesting?"
"That the call never appeared in the original report."
Riley's smile faded.
Daniel leaned forward.
"Who gave you the number?"
Riley stood.
"Answer the question."
"Who gave you the number?"
Riley slapped the photograph.
"You're not the one asking questions."
Daniel looked at him.
"Then why are you nervous?"
Riley stepped around the table.
"Because you came here with a child who knows too much."
Daniel's expression hardened.
"Leave the boy out of this."
"Then tell me where his mother is."
Daniel stared.
"You already know."
Riley's face changed.
"Where?"
"Westbridge."
Riley went still.
Daniel watched him carefully.
"You know the warehouse."
Riley did not answer.
"You've been there."
"You're guessing."
"No. I'm remembering."
Daniel looked toward the basement door.
"Michael told me about you."
Riley laughed.
"Michael Bennett talked about a lot of people."
"He said you were the one who took the original evidence."
Riley's face became expressionless.
Daniel continued.
"He said you were working with Harris."
Riley leaned over the table.
"Michael is dead."
Daniel stared at him.
"Then why are you afraid of what his son might find?"
Riley grabbed Daniel's jacket.
"Listen to me carefully."
Daniel did not move.
"That boy is going to be taken somewhere safe. His mother is going to be classified as a voluntary disappearance. And you're going to leave this town."
Daniel looked at him.
"Or what?"
Riley leaned closer.
"Or you'll end up exactly like Michael."
Daniel's voice became quiet.
"That's the first honest thing you've said."
Riley released him.
He walked toward the door.