Chapter 11 - THE CHILD DANIEL ABANDONED
Grace didn't answer her phone.
Neither did Mia.
Kiora panicked.
"Turn around."
Morris shook her head.
"We can't."
"She's a child."
"We're being followed."
"I don't care."
Elias grabbed Kiora's hand.
"Morris has units going there."
"That's not enough."
"Kiora."
"Daniel abandoned her once."
Her voice broke.
"I won't."
That silenced everyone.
Morris radioed local authorities.
Officers reached Grace's house twelve minutes later.
Empty.
The front door was open.
No sign of struggle.
But Grace and Mia were gone.
Kiora stared at the report.
Then Daniel called.
She answered immediately.
"Where is she?"
Daniel sounded confused.
"Who?"
"Mia."
Silence.
Kiora knew.
"You know."
Daniel's voice changed.
"Where did you hear that name?"
"Where is your daughter?"
Another silence.
Then Daniel whispered.
"Stay away from this."
"You left her."
"You don't understand."
"She's seven years old."
"I was protecting her."
Kiora laughed in disbelief.
"By pretending she didn't exist?"
"Richard would have used her."
"He already is."
Daniel stopped breathing.
"What?"
Kiora looked at Elias.
"He took her."
Daniel's voice became sharp.
"Who took her?"
"Your father-in-law."
"Richard isn't my father-in-law."
"Not yet."
Daniel ignored the insult.
"Listen carefully."
For the first time, genuine fear entered his voice.
"If Richard has Mia, you give him whatever he wants."
"The memory card?"
Daniel went silent.
So he knew.
Kiora closed her eyes.
"You killed that man."
"It was an accident."
"You helped cover it up."
"Richard did."
"And you let him control you for eight years."
"I had no choice."
"There is always a choice."
Daniel laughed bitterly.
"You sound like your father."
"Good."
Daniel became quiet.
Then he said something unexpected.
"I know where Richard will take her."
Kiora sat upright.
"Where?"
"The old Harrow courthouse annex."
Elias frowned.
"That's been abandoned for years."
"Exactly."
"Why there?"
Daniel answered.
"Because that's where Arthur hid the original evidence."
Everyone looked at each other.
"What evidence?"
"The recording."
Elias leaned closer.
"What recording?"
Daniel laughed once.
"The one that proves who really ordered Arthur's death."
Kiora's blood ran cold.
"Who?"
Daniel whispered.
"I'll tell you when Mia is safe."
The call ended.
Kiora stared at the phone.
Morris immediately turned toward the city.
The abandoned courthouse annex stood six blocks from the courthouse where Vanessa had attacked Kiora.
By the time they arrived, police surrounded the building.
But Daniel was already inside.
Nobody knew how he'd gotten there.
Kiora refused to remain outside.
Elias argued.
Morris argued.
She ignored both.
Inside the old courtroom, Richard Harrow stood near the judge's bench.
Mia sat beside Grace.
They weren't physically harmed.
But they were terrified.
Vanessa stood beside her father.
Daniel stood across from them.
For once, his expensive suit looked meaningless.
His face was pale.
"Let them go."
Richard smiled.
"My boy."
"Don't call me that."
"You've always been ungrateful."
Kiora stepped into the courtroom.
Everyone turned.
Vanessa stared at her.
"You."
Kiora looked at Mia.
The little girl's eyes widened.
Daniel saw Kiora.
"Why did you come?"
"Because somebody had to."
Richard laughed.
"Arthur's daughter."
He looked almost nostalgic.
"You have his worst quality."
"What?"
"You believe truth matters."
Kiora held up the memory card.
Richard's eyes changed.
"You want this?"
"Kiora, no."
Elias stepped forward.
Richard smiled.
"Hello, Elias."
Kiora watched them.
There was history between them.
Deep history.
Richard extended his hand.
"The card."
Kiora shook her head.
"Release them."
Richard nodded toward one of his men.
Grace was allowed to move.
But Mia remained.
Daniel exploded.
"Let my daughter go."
Richard looked at him.
"Your daughter?"
He smiled.
"Interesting time to remember that."
Daniel's face twisted.
Kiora hated him.
But in that moment, she saw something she'd never seen before.
Shame.
Real shame.
Daniel stepped forward.
"Take me."
Richard laughed.
"I already own you."
"No."
Daniel looked toward Kiora.
"Not anymore."
Then he turned toward the police outside.
"My name is Daniel Bennett."
His voice carried through the courtroom.
"I killed Michael Harrow."
Richard's expression changed.
Daniel continued.
"It was an accident."
"But I helped Richard Harrow cover it up."
Vanessa screamed.
"Shut up!"
Daniel ignored her.
"And Richard Harrow arranged Arthur Harrington's death."
Kiora stopped breathing.
Richard stared at him.
"You stupid bastard."
Daniel smiled sadly.
"Probably."
Then Richard reached inside his coat.
Elias moved instantly.
Officers rushed through the doors.
Chaos erupted.
Kiora dropped behind a bench and shielded Mia.
Grace crawled toward them.
Seconds later, Richard was on the floor.
Handcuffed.
Vanessa was screaming.
Daniel stood with his hands raised.
And Kiora held Mia against her chest.
It was over.
At least she thought it was.
Then Daniel looked at her.
"No."
His face went pale.
"Kiora, this isn't over."
She stared at him.
"What?"
"Richard didn't order Arthur's death."
Everyone froze.
May you like
Daniel looked toward Vanessa.
"She did."
