Chapter 9: The Last Person They## Chapter 9: The Last Person They Suspected
“Put Suspected
“Put your hands where I can see them.””
Detective Morgan's your hands where I can see them.””
Detective Morgan's voice was firm.
Henry stood beside the staircase, his shoulders shaking.
“I didn't hurt him.””
Daniel stared at the photograph voice was firm.
Henry stood beside the staircase, his shoulders shaking.
“I didn't hurt him.””
Daniel stared at the photograph.
His father in a hospital bed.
Henry holding a syringe.
The date printed on the back was unmistakable.
November .
His father in a hospital bed.
Henry holding a syringe.
The date printed on the back was unmistakable.
November 1.
Yesterday.
“Where is my father?”” Daniel demanded.
Henry wiped his face.
“I don't know.””
“Don't lie to me!””
“1.
Yesterday.
“Where is my father?”” Daniel demanded.
Henry wiped his face.
“I don't know.””
“Don't lie to me!””
“I'm not lying!””
Detective Morgan stepped between them.
“Mr. Brooks, calm down.””
Daniel pointed at theI'm not lying!””
Detective Morgan stepped between them.
“Mr. Brooks, calm down.””
Daniel pointed at the photograph.
“You were with him yesterday. You had a syringe in your hand. And now he's disappeared again.””
Henry shook his head.
“The injection photograph.
“You were with him yesterday. You had a syringe in your hand. And now he's disappeared again.””
Henry shook his head.
“The injection was medication. Christopher was in pain.””
“What medication?””
“His doctor prescribed it.””
“Which doctor?””
Henry looked toward Vanessa.
She was standing was medication. Christopher was in pain.””
“What medication?””
“His doctor prescribed it.””
“Which doctor?””
Henry looked toward Vanessa.
She was standing beside the dining room table, her handbag open and its contents scattered across the polished wood.
Then Henry said something beside the dining room table, her handbag open and its contents scattered across the polished wood.
Then Henry said something unexpected.
“Ask Vanessa.””
Vanessa laughed.
“This is becoming embarrassing.””
Detective Morgan turned toward her.
“Why would he say that unexpected.
“Ask Vanessa.””
Vanessa laughed.
“This is becoming embarrassing.””
Detective Morgan turned toward her.
“Why would he say that?””
“Because he's frightened. He's trying to blame everyone else.””
Henry looked at her.
“You gave me the medication.””
Vanessa's smile?””
“Because he's frightened. He's trying to blame everyone else.””
Henry looked at her.
“You gave me the medication.””
Vanessa's smile disappeared.
“I don't know what you're talking about.””
“You told me Christopher needed something to help him sleep.””
“You're disappeared.
“I don't know what you're talking about.””
“You told me Christopher needed something to help him sleep.””
“You're a nurse now?””
Henry shook his head.
“No. But I know what you gave me.””
Detective a nurse now?””
Henry shook his head.
“No. But I know what you gave me.””
Detective Morgan looked at the photograph again.
“Where was this taken?””
Henry hesitated.
“At the old Whitmore property.””
“The same location Morgan looked at the photograph again.
“Where was this taken?””
Henry hesitated.
“At the old Whitmore property.””
“The same location where Mr. Brooks said he was?””
“Yes.””
“Why was he there?””
Henry looked toward Margaret.
“Because he wanted to see his mother.””
Margaret's where Mr. Brooks said he was?””
“Yes.””
“Why was he there?””
Henry looked toward Margaret.
“Because he wanted to see his mother.””
Margaret's face crumpled.
“My son was here?””
Henry nodded.
“Yesterday afternoon. He came through the northern entrance. He was afraid someone would face crumpled.
“My son was here?””
Henry nodded.
“Yesterday afternoon. He came through the northern entrance. He was afraid someone would recognize him.””
Margaret covered her mouth.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“He wanted to surprise you.””
Daniel looked at the photograph.
“Then recognize him.””
Margaret covered her mouth.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“He wanted to surprise you.””
Daniel looked at the photograph.
“Then why didn't he come inside?””
Henry's eyes filled.
“Because he heard Vanessa was organizing tonight's why didn't he come inside?””
Henry's eyes filled.
“Because he heard Vanessa was organizing tonight's party. He didn't want to expose himself until he had the original recording.””
Daniel glanced toward party. He didn't want to expose himself until he had the original recording.””
Daniel glanced toward Vanessa.
“Where is the recording?””
Henry shook his head.
“Christopher kept it with him.””
“Then why was he at the property?””
“To retrieve Vanessa.
“Where is the recording?””
Henry shook his head.
“Christopher kept it with him.””
“Then why was he at the property?””
“To retrieve something from the old garage.””
Detective Morgan interrupted.
“What?””
“A metal case. He said something from the old garage.””
Detective Morgan interrupted.
“What?””
“A metal case. He said it contained the original recording and the documents proving what happened to him.””
Daniel looked at the detective.
“We need to find that case it contained the original recording and the documents proving what happened to him.””
Daniel looked at the detective.
“We need to find that case.””
Morgan immediately contacted her team.
Then she turned toward Henry.
“Where exactly is the garage?””
“Behind the old guesthouse. There's a.””
Morgan immediately contacted her team.
Then she turned toward Henry.
“Where exactly is the garage?””
“Behind the old guesthouse. There's a side entrance near the garden.””
“Can you take us there?””
Henry nodded.
But before anyone could move, Lily spoke.
side entrance near the garden.””
“Can you take us there?””
Henry nodded.
But before anyone could move, Lily spoke.
“Grandma?””
Margaret turned.
“Yes, baby?””
Lily was staring at Henry.
“He was in my video“Grandma?””
Margaret turned.
“Yes, baby?””
Lily was staring at Henry.
“He was in my video too.””
Daniel looked at her.
“What video?””
“The other one.””
She carefully pressed the teddy bear's paw.
Daniel too.””
Daniel looked at her.
“What video?””
“The other one.””
She carefully pressed the teddy bear's paw.
Daniel took the device and opened the saved recordings.
The screen showed a hallway.
A clock indicated 4:18 p.m. took the device and opened the saved recordings.
The screen showed a hallway.
A clock indicated 4:18 p.m. the previous afternoon.
Henry appeared carrying a small metal case.
He placed it on a table.
Then he looked toward the previous afternoon.
Henry appeared carrying a small metal case.
He placed it on a table.
Then he looked toward the camera.
For several seconds, he simply stared.
Then he whispered:
“I'm sorry, Christopher.””
He opened the case the camera.
For several seconds, he simply stared.
Then he whispered:
“I'm sorry, Christopher.””
He opened the case.
Inside were several documents.
He removed one sheet, examined it, and placed it back.
Then he took out a small bottle.
.
Inside were several documents.
He removed one sheet, examined it, and placed it back.
Then he took out a small bottle.
Daniel's expression tightened.
The footage continued.
Henry looked toward the door.
A shadow appeared.
ADaniel's expression tightened.
The footage continued.
Henry looked toward the door.
A shadow appeared.
A woman's voice.
“Did you find it?””
Henry answered.
“Yes.””
“Did you give him the medication?””
Henry hesitated woman's voice.
“Did you find it?””
Henry answered.
“Yes.””
“Did you give him the medication?””
Henry hesitated.
“Not yet.””
The woman stepped into the frame.
Vanessa.
She placed a hand on Henry's shoulder.
.
“Not yet.””
The woman stepped into the frame.
Vanessa.
She placed a hand on Henry's shoulder.
“Then do it tonight.””
The recording ended.
Nobody spoke.
Henry lowered his head.
Margaret looked at him.
“You were going to give my son“Then do it tonight.””
The recording ended.
Nobody spoke.
Henry lowered his head.
Margaret looked at him.
“You were going to give my son something?””
Henry's voice broke.
“I was told it would help him sleep.””
“By whom?””
Henry didn't answer.
Vanessa folded her something?””
Henry's voice broke.
“I was told it would help him sleep.””
“By whom?””
Henry didn't answer.
Vanessa folded her arms.
“It's ridiculous to believe a recording from a child's toy proves anything.””
Daniel looked at her.
“You were in the recording arms.
“It's ridiculous to believe a recording from a child's toy proves anything.””
Daniel looked at her.
“You were in the recording.””
“I was asking about medication.””
“Medication for a man you told everyone was dead?””
Vanessa's expression.””
“I was asking about medication.””
“Medication for a man you told everyone was dead?””
Vanessa's expression hardened.
Detective Morgan stepped forward.
“Ma'am, I need you to remain silent.””
Then she looked at Henry.
“Did you administer anything hardened.
Detective Morgan stepped forward.
“Ma'am, I need you to remain silent.””
Then she looked at Henry.
“Did you administer anything to Christopher?””
Henry nodded.
“One dose.””
Daniel's stomach dropped.
“What?””
“He was in pain. He couldn't to Christopher?””
Henry nodded.
“One dose.””
Daniel's stomach dropped.
“What?””
“He was in pain. He couldn't sleep. I gave him what Vanessa brought.””
“What was it?””
“I don't know.””
Detective Morgan's expression changed.
“That's serious sleep. I gave him what Vanessa brought.””
“What was it?””
“I don't know.””
Detective Morgan's expression changed.
“That's serious. You need to tell me exactly where he is.””
Henry began crying.
“I don't know!””
Daniel grabbed the back. You need to tell me exactly where he is.””
Henry began crying.
“I don't know!””
Daniel grabbed the back of a chair.
For twelve years, he had imagined finding his father.
He had imagined running toward him.
He had of a chair.
For twelve years, he had imagined finding his father.
He had imagined running toward him.
He had imagined hearing his voice and asking why he had stayed away.
He had never imagined that he might find him unconscious somewhere because imagined hearing his voice and asking why he had stayed away.
He had never imagined that he might find him unconscious somewhere because someone had given him an unknown substance.
Margaret stepped toward Henry.
“Did you call for help?””
“Yes.””
“When?””
someone had given him an unknown substance.
Margaret stepped toward Henry.
“Did you call for help?””
“Yes.””
“When?””
“After he became confused.””
“Did he lose consciousness?””
Henry nodded.
“Then I called the number Vanessa gave me.””
Daniel stared“After he became confused.””
“Did he lose consciousness?””
Henry nodded.
“Then I called the number Vanessa gave me.””
Daniel stared.
“Who answered?””
“A man.””
“What man?””
“I don't know his name.””
Henry reached into his pocket and produced a small folded receipt.
“Who answered?””
“A man.””
“What man?””
“I don't know his name.””
Henry reached into his pocket and produced a small folded receipt.
“I kept this.””
Detective Morgan took it.
It was from a private medical transport company.
The destination was.
“I kept this.””
Detective Morgan took it.
It was from a private medical transport company.
The destination was listed as:
*NORTHGATE RECOVERY CENTER — SAVANNAH.*
Morgan looked up.
“Why would you send an listed as:
*NORTHGATE RECOVERY CENTER — SAVANNAH.*
Morgan looked up.
“Why would you send an unconscious man to a recovery center?””
Henry shook his head.
“I didn't know what else to do.””
Daniel's voice was unconscious man to a recovery center?””
Henry shook his head.
“I didn't know what else to do.””
Daniel's voice was cold.
“You should have called an ambulance.””
“I was afraid.””
Margaret looked at him with exhausted cold.
“You should have called an ambulance.””
“I was afraid.””
Margaret looked at him with exhausted disbelief.
“Everyone in this house was afraid. And every time someone became afraid, my son disbelief.
“Everyone in this house was afraid. And every time someone became afraid, my son paid for it.””
Henry lowered his head.
For a moment, the only sound was Lily gently stroking her teddy bear.
Then Detective paid for it.””
Henry lowered his head.
For a moment, the only sound was Lily gently stroking her teddy bear.
Then Detective Morgan spoke.
“I'm sending officers to that facility. Nobody leaves until we have statements.””
She turned toward her partner.
“Check the medical Morgan spoke.
“I'm sending officers to that facility. Nobody leaves until we have statements.””
She turned toward her partner.
“Check the medical transport records. Find out who authorized the transfer.””
The partner nodded and walked away.
Vanessa suddenly laughed.
“You won't find transport records. Find out who authorized the transfer.””
The partner nodded and walked away.
Vanessa suddenly laughed.
“You won't find him.””
Morgan looked at her.
“Why not?””
“Because you don't understand how this works.””
“Then explain it.””
Vanessa leaned against him.””
Morgan looked at her.
“Why not?””
“Because you don't understand how this works.””
“Then explain it.””
Vanessa leaned against the table.
“Christopher has spent twelve years living under a false identity. He has no valid identification, no official medical the table.
“Christopher has spent twelve years living under a false identity. He has no valid identification, no official medical history, and no legal standing in the place where you think he is.””
Daniel stared at her.
“You arranged all of that.””
Vanessa history, and no legal standing in the place where you think he is.””
Daniel stared at her.
“You arranged all of that.””
Vanessa shrugged.
“I made sure he received care.””
Margaret stepped forward.
“You made sure his own mother shrugged.
“I made sure he received care.””
Margaret stepped forward.
“You made sure his own mother believed he was dead.””
Vanessa looked at her.
“You were never supposed to find out.””
Margaret's eyes narrowed.
“Why?””
For the believed he was dead.””
Vanessa looked at her.
“You were never supposed to find out.””
Margaret's eyes narrowed.
“Why?””
For the first time, Vanessa looked genuinely irritated.
“Because Christopher changed the will.””
Daniel lifted the original document.
“We found it.””
Vanessa stared first time, Vanessa looked genuinely irritated.
“Because Christopher changed the will.””
Daniel lifted the original document.
“We found it.””
Vanessa stared.
“You found what?””
“The original will. The one you thought was hidden.””
Her mouth fell open.
Daniel continued.
“It leaves Noah.
“You found what?””
“The original will. The one you thought was hidden.””
Her mouth fell open.
Daniel continued.
“It leaves Noah part of the estate. It protects Lily. It names Mom as executor.””
Vanessa slowly straightened.
“That document is invalid.””
“Why?””
“Because Christopher part of the estate. It protects Lily. It names Mom as executor.””
Vanessa slowly straightened.
“That document is invalid.””
“Why?””
“Because Christopher wasn't competent when he signed it.””
Henry suddenly looked up.
“He was perfectly competent.””
Vanessa turned.
“You don't wasn't competent when he signed it.””
Henry suddenly looked up.
“He was perfectly competent.””
Vanessa turned.
“You don't know what you're talking about.””
“I was there when he signed.””
Daniel looked at him.
“You witnessed it?””
Henry nodded know what you're talking about.””
“I was there when he signed.””
Daniel looked at him.
“You witnessed it?””
Henry nodded.
“Christopher signed it in front of his attorney. He knew exactly what he was doing.””
Detective Morgan carefully placed the.
“Christopher signed it in front of his attorney. He knew exactly what he was doing.””
Detective Morgan carefully placed the document into an evidence folder.
“We'll have the appropriate people examine it.””
Vanessa's face tightened.
“You can't take document into an evidence folder.
“We'll have the appropriate people examine it.””
Vanessa's face tightened.
“You can't take that.””
Morgan looked at her.
“Watch me.””
Vanessa suddenly grabbed her handbag.
Her movements were quick.
She pulled out that.””
Morgan looked at her.
“Watch me.””
Vanessa suddenly grabbed her handbag.
Her movements were quick.
She pulled out a small black device and pressed a button.
A loud electronic tone sounded throughout the ballroom.
The lights flickered.
Guests screamed a small black device and pressed a button.
A loud electronic tone sounded throughout the ballroom.
The lights flickered.
Guests screamed.
Daniel instinctively pulled Lily and Noah behind him.
Margaret reached for the children.
“Stay with me!””
The emergency lighting came on a second later.
Daniel instinctively pulled Lily and Noah behind him.
Margaret reached for the children.
“Stay with me!””
The emergency lighting came on a second later.
When the room became visible again, Vanessa was standing near the entrance.
But she wasn't alone.
A man in a dark coat had entered through the side door.
When the room became visible again, Vanessa was standing near the entrance.
But she wasn't alone.
A man in a dark coat had entered through the side door.
He held a small medical case.
Detective Morgan immediately raised her hand.
“Police! Don't move!””
The man froze.
He held a small medical case.
Detective Morgan immediately raised her hand.
“Police! Don't move!””
The man froze.
Vanessa looked at him.
“Where is he?””
The man glanced toward the detective.
Then toward Daniel.
“Who?””
“Christopher!””
The man swallowed.
Vanessa looked at him.
“Where is he?””
The man glanced toward the detective.
Then toward Daniel.
“Who?””
“Christopher!””
The man swallowed.
“I was told to bring the medication.””
Morgan stepped closer.
“Put the case on the floor.””
He obeyed.
The detective opened.
“I was told to bring the medication.””
Morgan stepped closer.
“Put the case on the floor.””
He obeyed.
The detective opened it.
Inside were several prescription bottles, medical documents, and a hospital identification bracelet.
Daniel recognized the name immediately.
it.
Inside were several prescription bottles, medical documents, and a hospital identification bracelet.
Daniel recognized the name immediately.
*JAMES CARTER.*
His father's false identity.
Morgan looked at the man.
“Who sent you?””
He glanced at Vanessa.
She shook*JAMES CARTER.*
His father's false identity.
Morgan looked at the man.
“Who sent you?””
He glanced at Vanessa.
She shook her head almost imperceptibly.
But the man was frightened.
And frightened people sometimes tell her head almost imperceptibly.
But the man was frightened.
And frightened people sometimes tell the truth.
“She did,” he whispered.
Vanessa closed her eyes.
Morgan continued.
the truth.
“She did,” he whispered.
Vanessa closed her eyes.
Morgan continued.
“Who is being treated under the name James Carter?””
The man hesitated.
Then he answered.
“Christopher Brooks.””
Margaret“Who is being treated under the name James Carter?””
The man hesitated.
Then he answered.
“Christopher Brooks.””
Margaret began crying.
“Where is he?””
The man looked at the floor.
“Northgate Recovery Center.””
Daniel stepped forward.
“Is he alive?””
The man nodded.
“Yes.””
Margaret grabbed Daniel's arm began crying.
“Where is he?””
The man looked at the floor.
“Northgate Recovery Center.””
Daniel stepped forward.
“Is he alive?””
The man nodded.
“Yes.””
Margaret grabbed Daniel's arm.
“Then take me to him.””
Detective Morgan ordered her team to secure the man and preserve the medical case.
“Then take me to him.””
Detective Morgan ordered her team to secure the man and preserve the medical case.
Then she turned toward Vanessa.
“Ma'am, you're coming with us.””
Vanessa stared at her.
“You can't arrest me for trying.
Then she turned toward Vanessa.
“Ma'am, you're coming with us.””
Vanessa stared at her.
“You can't arrest me for trying to help someone.””
Morgan's expression didn't change.
“We have a recording of you directing medication to help someone.””
Morgan's expression didn't change.
“We have a recording of you directing medication to a man held under a false identity, evidence of a child's injury, and several documents connected to a suspected financial crime.””
to a man held under a false identity, evidence of a child's injury, and several documents connected to a suspected financial crime.””
Vanessa looked around the room.
The guests who had admired her gown earlier were now staring at her with disgust.
ThenVanessa looked around the room.
The guests who had admired her gown earlier were now staring at her with disgust.
Then she looked at Lily.
“You little brat.””
Daniel stepped forward.
“Don't.””
Vanessa's eyes filled with she looked at Lily.
“You little brat.””
Daniel stepped forward.
“Don't.””
Vanessa's eyes filled with fury.
“You have no idea what your little camera has cost me.””
Lily hugged Detective Buttons fury.
“You have no idea what your little camera has cost me.””
Lily hugged Detective Buttons.
“My teddy bear doesn't lie.””
For several seconds, Vanessa simply stared.
Then the detective escorted her toward the entrance.
But before leaving, Vanessa turned toward Margaret.
“My teddy bear doesn't lie.””
For several seconds, Vanessa simply stared.
Then the detective escorted her toward the entrance.
But before leaving, Vanessa turned toward Margaret.
“You think finding Christopher will fix everything?””
Margaret said nothing.
Vanessa smiled coldly.
“He doesn't.
“You think finding Christopher will fix everything?””
Margaret said nothing.
Vanessa smiled coldly.
“He doesn't remember everything, Margaret. And when he does, you'll discover that your precious son has secrets of his own.””
remember everything, Margaret. And when he does, you'll discover that your precious son has secrets of his own.””
The front door closed behind her.
Daniel looked toward his mother.
“Let's go get Dad.””
Margaret nodded.
But DetectiveThe front door closed behind her.
Daniel looked toward his mother.
“Let's go get Dad.””
Margaret nodded.
But Detective Morgan stopped them.
“There's one more thing.””
She held up the medical bracelet.
“The man who delivered this Morgan stopped them.
“There's one more thing.””
She held up the medical bracelet.
“The man who delivered this told us something important.””
Daniel frowned.
“What?””
“He said Christopher requested that nobody contact your family until a specific told us something important.””
Daniel frowned.
“What?””
“He said Christopher requested that nobody contact your family until a specific person was arrested.””
Margaret's heart sank.
“Who?””
The detective looked at the bracelet.
Then she turned it over.
On the back was a handwritten person was arrested.””
Margaret's heart sank.
“Who?””
The detective looked at the bracelet.
Then she turned it over.
On the back was a handwritten name.
*MARGARET BROOKS.*
Daniel stared.
His mother looked horrified.
“Why would Christopher want me arrested?””
And for name.
*MARGARET BROOKS.*
Daniel stared.
His mother looked horrified.
“Why would Christopher want me arrested?””
May you like
And for the first time that night, nobody had an answer.
the first time that night, nobody had an answer.
