Chapter 4 - THE SON WHO WASN'T SUPPOSED TO EXIST
Alexander Vale had been a father for eleven months.
His son Noah was the one good thing in a life filled with threats, secrets, and broken loyalties.
But when Leah said Victor Kane had demanded the truth about Alexander's son, something inside him turned cold.
"What truth?" he whispered.
Leah shook her head.
"I don't know."
She pulled Maya closer.
"Mom just started crying."
Alexander looked toward the family room window.
Noah was resting in a medical observation area with a nurse.
The pediatrician had confirmed that he was stable.
The black disc had been removed from his clothing.
And for the first time since boarding the plane, the baby was sleeping peacefully.
Alexander closed his eyes.
His son.
An innocent child.
Someone had deliberately placed an electronic device against him.
And Elena Bennett somehow knew why.
Daniel approached.
"Sir, the authorities have preliminary findings."
Alexander looked up.
"About the disc?"
Daniel nodded.
"It appears to be a compact tracking device capable of producing sound."
Leah's eyes widened.
"Like the one in our kitchen."
"Possibly."
Alexander turned toward the investigator.
"What else?"
"The device was transmitting location data."
His jaw tightened.
"To whom?"
"We're tracing the receiving account."
Alexander looked toward Noah.
The child had been crying because something uncomfortable was pressed against his ribs.
A tiny object everyone else overlooked.
Leah had noticed.
A ten-year-old girl.
He looked back at her.
"How did you recognize it?"
Leah hesitated.
Then opened her notebook.
She showed him a drawing of the black disc found in their kitchen.
Beside it she'd written:
Wednesday, 2:14 a.m. Clicking noise.
Thursday, 11:03 p.m. Man's voice.
Friday, 6:20 a.m. Mom disappeared.
Alexander studied the careful handwriting.
Leah had been documenting everything.
Not because she was trained.
Because she was scared.
And counting details helped her feel less helpless.
"You're very observant," he said.
She shrugged.
"Mom says noticing little things keeps people safe."
Alexander nodded.
"Your mother sounds intelligent."
Leah looked down.
"She is."
A silence settled between them.
Then Alexander asked:
"Did your mother ever mention a woman named Sofia?"
Leah frowned.
"No."
"Sofia Vale?"
She shook her head.
"Who's that?"
Alexander looked toward Noah.
"My son's mother."
Leah glanced at the sleeping baby.
"Where is she?"
Alexander hesitated.
"She died shortly after he was born."
Leah's expression softened.
"I'm sorry."
He nodded.
"Thank you."
Then Daniel entered carrying a photograph.
"Alexander, we've confirmed something."
He placed it on the table.
The picture showed Elena Bennett standing beside Sofia Vale outside a private medical clinic.
Alexander stared.
The date was eight months earlier.
"Elena knew Sofia?"
Daniel nodded.
"Apparently."
Leah leaned forward.
"That's my mom."
Alexander looked at her.
"Are you sure?"
She nodded.
"And that's the lady who came to our apartment."
His heart stopped.
"What lady?"
Leah pointed toward Sofia.
"She came one night when Maya was asleep."
Alexander stared.
Sofia had been dead for almost a year.
At least, that's what he'd been told.
Leah continued.
"Mom made tea. They talked in the kitchen."
"When?"
"Before Christmas."
Alexander's mind raced.
Sofia had supposedly died in November.
The photograph was dated earlier.
But Leah was describing a visit in December.
After her reported death.
Alexander swallowed.
"Leah, are you sure about when she came?"
She nodded.
"Because Mom put up our Christmas lights that morning."
The room became silent.
Alexander looked toward Daniel.
Then back at the photograph.
A terrible possibility formed.
He had buried an empty casket.
The funeral had been closed.
His security team arranged everything.
And Victor Kane had personally delivered the medical report.
Alexander slowly stood.
May you like
Then whispered:
"If Leah is telling the truth, Noah's mother may still be alive."
