Chapter 13 - THE HOUSE WHERE THE TRUTH WAS WAITING
Alexander Vale had avoided his childhood home for twenty years.
Too many memories.
Too much grief.
Too much of his father's presence remained in those rooms.
Now investigators believed Elena Bennett was being held there.
He provided the property plans.
Access codes.
Ownership records.
And every detail he remembered.
Authorities obtained a warrant and coordinated a search.
Alexander remained at a secure location with the children.
For the first time in his life, he wasn't directing men with weapons.
He was waiting for trained professionals to do their jobs.
And the waiting nearly destroyed him.
Leah sat beside him.
"Sir?"
He looked down.
"Yes?"
"Do you think Mom's there?"
Alexander considered the question.
"I hope so."
Leah nodded.
Then whispered:
"I'm scared."
His chest tightened.
"I know."
She looked toward Maya.
"She's too little to understand."
Alexander watched the younger girl playing with a stuffed rabbit that had been returned after its tracking device was removed.
Leah continued.
"I promised Mom I'd keep her safe."
Alexander looked at her.
"You did."
Leah shook her head.
"But I couldn't find Mom."
He gently placed a hand on the table between them.
"Leah, you're ten years old."
She looked up.
"You were never supposed to do this alone."
Tears filled her eyes.
"I know."
He swallowed.
"You took care of Maya. You noticed something wrong with Noah. You told the truth when adults didn't listen."
Leah began crying.
Alexander's voice softened.
"That's enough."
She wiped her face.
Then whispered:
"Will Mom be proud?"
Alexander nodded.
"Very."
Three hours later, his phone rang.
Detective Michael Brennan.
Alexander answered immediately.
"Tell me."
"We located Elena Bennett."
His heart stopped.
"Is she alive?"
"Yes."
Alexander closed his eyes.
Leah stared at him.
He nodded through tears.
"She's alive."
The little girl covered her mouth.
Then began sobbing.
Maya looked up.
"Mommy?"
Leah hugged her.
"Mommy's alive."
Alexander could barely breathe.
The detective continued.
"She's receiving medical attention. She's weak, but conscious."
Alexander nodded.
"Thank God."
Then Brennan added:
"Victor Kane was arrested at the property."
Alexander exhaled.
After years of manipulation, fraud, and violence, the man who had destroyed so many lives was finally in custody.
But the detective wasn't finished.
"We found evidence in the basement."
"What evidence?"
"Records concerning your father's death, Julian's murder, and the medical transfer scheme."
Alexander looked down.
The truth.
Finally.
Then the detective hesitated.
"There's something else."
Alexander's stomach tightened.
"What?"
"Elena gave us a statement."
He waited.
"She said Victor didn't act alone."
Alexander closed his eyes.
"Who helped him?"
A pause.
May you like
Then Brennan answered.
"Your current head of security, Daniel Mercer."
