Chapter 12 - THE WOMAN IN BLUE
Vanessa resurfaced eleven days after Oliver’s rescue.
She called Nathan directly.
He was in Margaret’s kitchen when the unknown number appeared.
He answered.
Silence.
Then Vanessa spoke.
“Nathan.”
His body went rigid.
Oliver was upstairs.
Nathan walked into the study and closed the door.
“Where are you?”
“You sound different.”
“My son was inside a wall.”
Vanessa inhaled.
“I never wanted it to go that far.”
Nathan almost laughed.
“You held an eight-year-old prisoner for eleven months.”
“Conrad said it would be temporary.”
“You staged his death.”
“I was afraid.”
“Of what?”
“Losing everything.”
Nathan’s voice remained steady.
“You never had it.”
Silence.
Then Vanessa began crying.
Nathan felt nothing.
“Conrad manipulated me.”
“You still chose.”
“He threatened Julian.”
“You still chose.”
“He told me you would never accept my son.”
“You still chose.”
Vanessa stopped crying.
Her real voice returned.
Cold.
Defensive.
“You think Claire was innocent?”
Nathan froze.
“What did you say?”
“Claire knew about the trust problem.”
“What trust problem?”
“She discovered Conrad was moving money years ago.”
Nathan’s pulse increased.
“Explain.”
“Not on the phone.”
“Then tell me where you are.”
Vanessa laughed softly.
“You’d bring police.”
“Yes.”
“At least you’re honest.”
Nathan closed his eyes.
“Vanessa, Conrad plans to kill you.”
Silence.
“What?”
“He never intended to give you control.”
“You’re lying.”
“Project Heir lists you as Phase Five.”
Nothing.
Nathan heard breathing.
Then a small sound.
Fear.
“What does it say?”
“Disposition.”
Vanessa remained silent for several seconds.
Then she whispered, “He has Julian.”
Nathan stood.
“What?”
“He took him.”
Nathan immediately opened the study door.
Margaret saw his face.
He motioned for her to call Brooks.
Vanessa continued.
“Julian disappeared from protective housing two hours ago.”
Nathan frowned.
“That’s impossible.”
“Conrad has people inside.”
“How do you know?”
“He sent me a photograph.”
Nathan’s blood chilled.
“What does he want?”
“The recorder.”
Of course.
Oliver’s recorder contained voices.
Dates.
Admissions.
It was the most direct evidence against the conspiracy.
Nathan looked toward the stairs.
“No.”
Vanessa’s voice broke.
“He’ll kill Julian.”
“You kidnapped my child.”
“I know.”
“You expect me to risk him again for yours?”
“I’m begging you.”
Nathan said nothing.
Vanessa whispered, “I know I don’t deserve help.”
“You don’t.”
“But Julian does.”
Nathan hated that she was right.
Julian had failed Oliver.
But he had also tried to help.
He had provided evidence.
And he had not created his mother’s crimes.
Nathan asked, “Where?”
“Old Vale Foundry.”
Nathan knew the place.
An abandoned industrial site once owned by his grandfather.
Conrad knew it too.
“Tonight.”
“What time?”
“Midnight.”
“The recorder for Julian.”
Nathan replied, “I’ll come.”
Vanessa exhaled.
“Alone.”
Nathan looked at Detective Brooks entering the room.
“No.”
Vanessa went silent.
Nathan continued.
“I’m done following rules written by people who hurt my son.”
He ended the call.
Brooks stared at him.
“You’re not going alone.”
“I know.”
Upstairs, neither adult noticed Oliver standing on the landing.
The boy had heard everything.
And while Nathan and Brooks began planning the operation, Oliver quietly returned to his room.
He opened the black recorder.
May you like
Removed the memory card.
And hid it somewhere no one else knew.
