Chapter 11 - The Empty Chair

Daniel saw the empty chair beside Rebecca before his mind accepted it.

"Where is she?"

Rebecca stood so fast she knocked over her purse.

"She was right here."

"Someone said there was a fire alarm and took us through the service corridor. I thought he was court security."

Daniel's body went cold.

"Who?"

She described Paul Mercer.

The courthouse locked down.

Daniel nearly broke.

Ortiz grabbed his shoulders.

Police found it abandoned eight miles away.

Inside was Sophie's pink hair ribbon.

Nothing else.

Then Daniel's phone rang.

Claire.

"Where is she?"

Claire sounded furious.

"I don't know."

"Don't lie to me."

"Mercer went off plan."

Ortiz signaled for Daniel to keep talking.

"What plan?"

"The hearing was supposed to delay you. That's all."

"Where did he take Sophie?"

"I said I don't know."

"Then help me."

Silence.

Daniel lowered his voice.

"If there is one piece of you that ever cared about her, help me."

Claire breathed unevenly.

"There is an old Brightwood intake house near Lake Arden. It isn't on the website."

Ortiz was already typing.

"Address?"

Claire gave it.

Then she whispered, "Marcus will kill me for this."

"Marcus is with Mercer?"

"Probably."

Daniel said, "Why are they taking her now?"

Claire did not answer.

"Claire."

"Because the trust company froze payments this morning."

"So?"

"They think Sophie can sign something."

Daniel stared at Laura.

"She's seven."

Laura's face changed.

"Not a contract. A biometric identity confirmation. Some trust portals use guardian plus beneficiary verification for emergency transfers."

Daniel felt sick.

Claire continued.

"They need her thumbprint and a live camera image."

"For how much?"

"Everything they can move before the freeze becomes permanent."

The line clicked.

A second voice came on.

Marcus.

"Thanks, Claire."

Claire gasped.

Marcus had been listening.

Then Daniel heard a struggle.

The call ended.

Ortiz looked up from the map.

"We found the intake house."

Daniel grabbed his coat.

Laura stopped him.

"Police go first."

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Daniel looked at her.

"My daughter went first."