"That office should have been vacant."

Ethan spread the property records across the dining table.

Rachel sat beside Olivia while Sophie played safely on a blanket nearby.

The building in the photograph belonged to Callahan Properties.

Its twenty-third floor had been closed for renovations eight months earlier.

The closure was authorized shortly after Daniel disappeared.

But Olivia had discovered something unusual.

Utility bills showed the floor continued consuming electricity.

Security records showed employees entering after hours.

And one of the companies paying for that access was Walsh Capital.

Derek's company.

Rachel looked at Ethan.

"Did you know Derek was using the building?"

"No."

"Then who approved it?"

Ethan examined the records.

"Marcus Bell."

Rachel felt sick.

The same man standing beside Derek in the photograph.

The same man who had been involved in Daniel's disputed financial transactions.

Olivia closed the file.

"I've contacted the detective handling Daniel's case. The police can determine whether there's evidence worth pursuing at the property."

Ethan nodded.

Rachel looked down at Sophie.

Her daughter had discovered the corner of a soft fabric book and was happily chewing it.

Rachel almost smiled.

Then her phone rang.

Her mother.

"Rachel, sweetheart, are you alright?"

"I'm safe, Mom. How are you?"

"I'm okay. The police came by after a man started asking the neighbors about you."

Rachel closed her eyes.

"Did he threaten you?"

"No. But I'm staying with Aunt Linda for a few days."

Rachel felt relieved.

Her mother wouldn't be alone.

Then her mother asked, "Are you still with that Callahan man?"

Rachel glanced toward Ethan.

"Yes."

A pause.

"Please be careful, sweetheart. I don't know what kind of trouble he's involved in."

Rachel looked at the records spread across the table.

Neither did she.

Not completely.

After the call, Olivia asked whether Rachel had any records showing Derek controlled her finances or threatened to take Sophie.

Rachel nodded.

She had saved messages.

Bank statements.

Photographs of damaged belongings after his angry outbursts.

She had kept everything in a private email folder because she feared Derek might destroy her phone.

Olivia arranged for an independent family-law attorney to review the material.

Rachel stared at her.

"You don't think he'll be able to take Sophie just because he has money?"

"Custody decisions depend on the child's welfare and the applicable legal process. His income alone doesn't entitle him to take her from you."

Rachel nodded.

It was the first time anyone had explained the situation without trying to frighten her.

Then Ethan's security guard entered.

A detective had called.

Investigators had located a former maintenance employee who worked on the twenty-third floor.

He remembered seeing Daniel Callahan enter the office after the reported disappearance.

But the employee had also seen something else.

A woman carrying a baby blanket.

Rachel stared at Ethan.

"What woman?"

The guard looked at Olivia.

"The witness says she was wearing a hospital identification badge."

Rachel's heart began pounding.

Eight months ago, she had been in her third trimester of pregnancy.

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