HE'S NOT ALLOWED TO EAT THAT! HE HASN'T PAID HIS RENT!

Marcus's hands shook so violently that he nearly dropped his phone.

The photograph showed Jordan in the back of a dark SUV.

His son was wearing the blue sweatshirt Evelyn had bought him the previous winter.

His face was pale.

His eyes were fixed on whoever was holding the camera.

David grabbed Marcus's shoulder.

“Don't move. We need to handle this carefully.””

“They have my son!””

“I know. We're contacting the police now.””

Marcus tried calling Evelyn again.

This time, she answered.

“Marcus!””

“Mom, where are you? Where's Jordan?””

“I don't know! Someone came to the front door claiming to be from your office. He said you needed me to sign something urgently.””

Marcus closed his eyes.

“Mom, did you give him Jordan?””

“No! I went outside to check the car. When I came back, Jordan was gone!””

Her voice broke.

“I only turned away for a minute.””

Marcus gripped the phone.

“Listen to me. You're not responsible for this. Do you understand?””

Evelyn began crying.

“Marcus, please bring my grandson home.””

“I will, Mom. I promise.””

David had already called the police and provided the photograph, the threatening message, and the vehicle description.

He also contacted the relevant authorities handling the trust investigation.

Marcus paced the office.

“We need to go.””

David blocked the door.

“Not without a plan. If you go alone, you could put Jordan in more danger.””

Marcus looked at him.

“Then tell me what to do.””

David showed him the next message.

*Original trust documents. Ten o'clock. Abandoned warehouse on Miller Road.*

A location was attached.

David studied it.

“That's a former distribution warehouse outside town.””

“Daniel wants me there.””

“Yes.””

“Then I'm going.””

David shook his head.

“We're not going to make an impulsive move. The police need the exact location, and we need to follow their instructions.””

Marcus nodded, though every second felt unbearable.

At 9:34, another message arrived.

*No police. No lawyers. If you bring anyone, the boy pays.*

Marcus looked at David.

“That's a threat.””

“Yes. And it's evidence.””

David contacted the officers handling the case and relayed the new message.

They began coordinating a response.

Meanwhile, Marcus was instructed to keep the communication open and avoid escalating the situation.

At 9:46, the unknown number called.

Marcus answered immediately.

“Where is my son?””

Daniel's voice came through.

“Good morning, Marcus.””

Marcus recognized it from the video.

“You son of a—”

“Careful. Your boy is sitting right beside me.””

Marcus forced himself to breathe.

“Let me speak to him.””

A few seconds passed.

Then Jordan's frightened voice came through.

“Dad?””

“Buddy! Are you okay?””

“I'm scared.””

Marcus closed his eyes.

“I know. Listen to me. You're going to be okay. I'm coming to get you.””

“Dad, I didn't do anything.””

“I know, son. You haven't done anything wrong.””

Daniel took the phone back.

“Touching moment.””

“Daniel, leave my son out of this.””

“You should have done what your wife asked.””

“She isn't my wife anymore.””

Daniel laughed.

“That's not the problem. The problem is the money.””

Marcus clenched his jaw.

“You have no right to Jordan's inheritance.””

“Rights are negotiable.””

“Not when you've forged documents.””

Daniel's voice hardened.

“Bring the original trust agreement.””

“I don't have it.””

“Your wife says you do.””

“She stole it.””

“Then find it.””

Marcus looked at David.

The attorney was writing something on a notepad, reminding him to keep Daniel talking.

Marcus continued.

“What happens when I bring the papers?””

“You sign the authorization. We transfer the properties. Then you get your son.””

“And Vanessa?””

Daniel laughed again.

“She gets her share.””

Marcus looked toward David.

He mouthed the words.

Keep him talking.

Marcus swallowed.

“How much are you paying Vanessa?””

“More than you ever did.””

The answer made Marcus's stomach turn.

“So that's what this is about. You and Vanessa have been together for months.””

“Longer than you think.””

Marcus said nothing.

Daniel continued.

“She's tired of living in your shadow. She deserves a better life.””

“She deserves a prison cell if she helped you steal from my child.””

Daniel's voice became colder.

“Ten o'clock, Marcus. Don't test me.””

The call ended.

David immediately handed the information to the officers.

Then he looked at Marcus.

“We have a potential advantage.””

“What?””

“The trust administrator confirmed that the original agreement is not required for a valid transfer. The trustee must approve the transaction, and that approval has been withheld.””

Marcus stared.

“So Daniel doesn't actually need the papers?””

“Not legally. But he may believe the originals contain something that would help him complete the fraud.””

“Then why threaten Jordan?””

“Because he thinks you don't know what we know.””

Marcus looked down at his phone.

Another message arrived.

This time, it contained a photograph of an envelope.

*THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. NO COPIES.*

Marcus recognized the handwriting.

It was Vanessa's.

He looked at David.

“She has the originals.””

David nodded.

“We need to tell the police.””

At 9:57, Marcus received a final message.

*THREE MINUTES.*

He felt as though his heart were being crushed.

Then another call came through.

Vanessa.

He answered.

“Where is Jordan?””

Her voice was trembling.

“Marcus, please. You have to listen.””

“Where is my son?””

“He's safe.””

“Put him on the phone.””

“Not yet.””

Marcus's anger exploded.

“YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU'VE DONE!””

Vanessa began crying.

“Daniel said he wouldn't hurt him.””

“You let that man take a fourteen-year-old boy!””

“I didn't know he was going to do that!””

“Then why did you send him the address?””

Silence.

Marcus's voice dropped.

“Vanessa, tell me the truth. Did you arrange this?””

She sobbed.

“I wanted you to cooperate. I didn't think he'd actually take Jordan.””

Marcus closed his eyes.

“Give me one reason I should believe you.””

“Because I still care about him.””

Marcus nearly laughed.

“You slapped his hand away from dinner. You charged him rent. You took his savings.

You made him sleep in a storage room. And now you've helped a man kidnap him.””

“I was desperate!””

“For what?””

Vanessa finally answered.

“Daniel owes nearly two hundred thousand dollars. He told me the properties would solve everything. He promised we'd start over.””

Marcus stared at the wall.

“You destroyed your family for a man who was using you.””

“I know.””

“Do you?””

She began crying harder.

Then she said something unexpected.

“Marcus, there's another person involved.””

David immediately leaned closer.

“Who?””

Vanessa hesitated.

“Richard Cole.””

David's expression changed.

“The employee at Northbridge?””

“Yes. He helped Daniel get the false purchase agreement accepted. He also knew where the original documents were.””

Marcus felt sick.

“Who else?””

Vanessa lowered her voice.

“Your accountant.””

Marcus froze.

“What?””

“Daniel paid him to provide your financial records. He knew everything about the trust because your accountant gave him the files.””

David immediately began writing.

“What's the accountant's name?”” he asked.

Vanessa answered.

“Peter Lawson.””

Marcus stared at David.

Peter had handled his father's estate for twelve years.

He had attended Jordan's birthday parties.

He had sat at their Christmas table.

And he had apparently helped Daniel steal from the family.

David quickly contacted the authorities.

At 10:03, the police confirmed that officers were moving toward the warehouse location.

Marcus received another call.

Daniel.

He answered.

“I'm here,” Daniel said.

“Where's Jordan?””

“Inside.””

“Let me hear him.””

A moment later, Jordan spoke.

“Dad?””

“I'm here, buddy.””

“Please come get me.””

Marcus felt tears burn his eyes.

“I will.””

Daniel took the phone.

“Bring the papers.””

Marcus looked at David.

The attorney shook his head slightly.

“Daniel,” Marcus said, “I have something you want.””

“What?””

“The original trust agreement.””

David's eyes widened.

Marcus continued.

“But I want to see my son first.””

Daniel laughed.

“You don't get to negotiate.””

“Then you don't get the papers.””

Silence.

Finally, Daniel spoke.

“Five minutes. Front entrance. Come alone.””

The call ended.

David immediately stopped Marcus from moving.

“Wait. The officers are coordinating the approach. Do not enter that building until they tell you it's safe.””

Marcus nodded.

His entire body was trembling.

At 10:11, his phone rang again.

It was Evelyn.

“Marcus, I found something.””

“Mom, I'm trying to get Jordan back.””

“I know. But you need to hear this.””

“What?””

Evelyn's voice became urgent.

“I found your father's original letter. The one he left with the trust agreement.””

Marcus frowned.

“What letter?””

“It explains why he placed Jordan's inheritance in that particular trust.””

“Mom, now isn't the time.””

“Marcus, listen. Your father appointed someone else as the permanent trustee. Not you.

Not Vanessa. Not Daniel.””

Marcus stopped.

“Who?””

Evelyn took a breath.

“Someone who has been watching over Jordan's inheritance since the day your father died.””

“Who?””

Her answer made Marcus's knees weaken.

“Your father appointed me.””

Marcus stared at David.

Evelyn continued.

“And there's something else. The original trust contains a clause that neither Daniel nor Vanessa knows about.””

“What clause?””

“If anyone attempts to steal from Jordan or transfer his inheritance through fraud, the trustee has the authority to freeze every distribution and trigger an independent investigation.””

Marcus swallowed.

“Does that mean the properties are protected?””

“Yes. Completely.””

For the first time that morning, Marcus felt a flicker of hope.

Then David's phone rang.

He listened.

His expression changed.

“Marcus…”

“What?””

“The police are at the warehouse.””

Marcus stood.

“Did they find Jordan?””