Chapter 8 - THE SISTER WHO SOLD MY FAMILY'S LOCATION
Corinne had one sister.
Madeline Shaw.
Thirty-four years old.
A successful interior designer.
The woman Corinne trusted more than almost anyone.
Madeline had been present at our wedding.
She'd helped decorate Owen's nursery.
She'd held my wife's hand during prenatal appointments.
And according to the anonymous note, she'd been revealing Corinne's location.
I wanted to call her immediately.
But I stopped.
For the first time in my life, I understood that acting impulsively could put someone else in danger.
I called Detective Reed.
He asked me to preserve the package.
Then investigators began reviewing Madeline's communications and financial connections where legally permitted.
The preliminary findings raised concerns.
Madeline had received several payments from a design company linked to Victor Hale.
The payments were larger than her usual consulting fees.
And their timing matched Corinne's disappearance.
My stomach tightened.
Had Madeline betrayed her own sister?
Detective Reed warned me not to jump to conclusions.
"There may be legitimate explanations."
But the fear remained.
Then Daniel Mercer contacted me.
"Grant, I need to speak with you."
"Is Corinne safe?"
"Yes."
I closed my eyes.
Thank God.
"Daniel, someone claims Madeline has been sharing her location."
A pause.
Then he answered:
"Corinne knows."
I froze.
"What?"
"She discovered the payments several days ago."
"Then why hasn't she gone to the police?"
"She has."
I sat down.
My wife was ahead of me again.
Daniel continued.
"She also discovered something about Madeline."
"What?"
"Her sister has been struggling financially."
I frowned.
"Madeline owns a successful business."
"Her business suffered major losses. Victor offered to help."
I understood immediately.
"Then he used the debt to control her."
"That's one possibility."
Daniel hesitated.
"Corinne confronted Madeline."
"What happened?"
"Madeline admitted sharing information about some of Corinne's movements."
My chest tightened.
"Did she know what Victor planned?"
"She claims she didn't."
I stared out the window.
"Does Corinne believe her?"
"Corinne doesn't know."
The words hurt.
My wife had lost trust in her husband.
Then her sister.
Every person who should have protected her seemed to have failed.
Daniel's voice softened.
"Grant, she's exhausted."
I closed my eyes.
"I know."
"No. I don't think you do."
He paused.
"She's caring for a newborn while cooperating with investigators and preparing to rebuild her life."
I swallowed.
"What can I do?"
"Respect her boundaries."
I nodded.
"Anything else?"
"Be the father Owen deserves."
The call ended.
That evening, I received a message from an unfamiliar number.
It was Corinne.
My hands trembled as I opened it.
Grant, Owen is safe.
I read those four words three times.
Then another message appeared.
I know you've been cooperating with the investigation.
A pause.
Thank you for that.
My eyes filled with tears.
I typed:
Can I see him?
Several minutes passed.
Then her reply arrived.
Not yet.
I lowered my head.
I deserved that.
Then she sent one more message.
There's something you still don't understand.
My stomach tightened.
The person who first warned me about Tessa wasn't Madeline.
I stared.
May you like
Another message appeared.
IT WAS YOUR MOTHER.
