Chapter 16: The Chase That Ended Everything
Michael tightened both hands around the steering wheel.
Laura's black SUV pulled alongside him, close enough that Emily could see her mother's face through the passenger window.
"Don't look at her," Michael said.
Emily turned toward him, crying.
"Why is she doing this?""
"Because she's angry. But you're safe with me.""
Laura lowered her window.
"Michael! Pull over!""
He ignored her.
The road ahead was crowded with afternoon traffic. Michael signaled toward the nearest police station, but Laura accelerated and moved in front of him, forcing him to brake.
Emily screamed.
"Stop!"" Michael shouted.
Laura's SUV swerved again.
Michael managed to pull into a gas station parking lot. He stopped beside the convenience store, where several customers were standing outside.
He immediately locked the doors.
"Call the police, sweetheart.""
Emily grabbed his phone.
Outside, Laura climbed from her vehicle.
She approached the driver's window and struck it with her palm.
"Open the door!""
Michael shook his head.
"Go away.""
"She's my daughter!""
"Then stop frightening her!""
Laura leaned toward the glass.
"Emily, sweetheart, come with Mommy. I have something important to show you.""
Emily moved away from the window.
"I don't want to.""
Laura's face changed.
"Don't talk to me like that.""
Michael started recording on his phone.
"You're being recorded. The police are coming.""
Laura looked at the phone.
Then she stepped back.
For one second, Michael thought she might leave.
Instead, she opened the rear door of her SUV and pulled out a large envelope.
She held it up.
"I have the papers proving you kidnapped her.""
Michael stared.
"What?""
"You have no custody order. You have no right to keep her from me.""
Emily shook her head.
"Dad didn't kidnap me!""
Laura ignored her.
"Michael, give me my daughter.""
Two customers approached.
One of them, a middle-aged woman in a red jacket, stood between Laura and the car.
"Ma'am, the police are on their way. You need to calm down.""
Laura turned on her.
"Stay out of this.""
The woman didn't move.
"She's a child. You're frightening her.""
Laura looked around and realized several people were watching.
She returned to her SUV.
But before driving away, she leaned toward Michael's window.
"You have no idea what I've already arranged.""
Then she left.
Dean arrived at the gas station with Frank less than ten minutes later.
He found Michael sitting inside the car with Emily wrapped in his arms.
Dean opened the passenger door.
"Are you both okay?""
Michael nodded.
"She tried to force us to stop.""
"Did she touch the vehicle?""
"No. But I recorded everything.""
Dean looked at Emily.
"Hey, kiddo. Your grandmother is waiting for you.""
Emily wiped her face.
"Is Mom coming there?""
Dean didn't lie.
"I don't know. But there will be people there to protect you.""
He called Martin.
"Laura just confronted Michael and Emily at a gas station. We have witnesses and video.""
Martin's voice became sharp.
"Have the police taken a statement?""
"They're here now.""
"Good. Do not take Emily anywhere without informing the officers. I'm contacting Helen Brooks.""
Dean ended the call.
Michael looked at him.
"She said she has papers proving I kidnapped Emily.""
"Let Martin examine them.""
Michael shook his head.
"She'll keep doing this until someone stops her.""
Dean glanced at the police officers approaching.
"Then let's make sure they have everything they need.""
By evening, Emily was safely back at Mabel's house.
Two officers had taken statements from Michael, Emily, and the gas station witnesses.
The video showed Laura blocking Michael's car, demanding that he surrender Emily, and threatening him when he refused.
Helen Brooks had requested an emergency review of the custody records.
Martin arrived shortly after eight.
He looked serious.
"We have another problem.""
Mabel stood.
"What now?""
"Patricia has disappeared.""
Daniel frowned.
"But she called you.""
"She did. Investigators went to the motel she named. Her room was empty.""
Dean crossed his arms.
"Did she leave anything?""
Martin nodded.
"An envelope addressed to me.""
He placed it on the table.
Inside was a handwritten note and a small USB drive.
Martin read the note aloud.
I cannot face Laura. I know what I did, and I know what happened to Arthur. The files are on this drive. If I disappear, please make sure Emily never has to live under Laura's control again.
Mabel closed her eyes.
"Where is Patricia?""
Martin shook his head.
"We don't know.""
Daniel took the drive.
"Can we see what's on it?""
Martin nodded.
He connected it to his laptop.
There were dozens of scanned documents, photographs, and audio recordings.
The first file was a photograph of Arthur's original insurance application.
The second showed the deed transfer bearing Mabel's forged signature.
The third was a copy of the first will.
Martin opened it.
His expression changed.
"This is not the earlier will Laura used in probate.""
Mabel leaned closer.
"What does it say?""
Martin read the document carefully.
"This is a draft prepared before Arthur executed his final will.""
Daniel frowned.
"Why would Patricia have it?""
"Because she was helping Laura gather the estate documents.""
Martin opened another file.
It contained a recorded conversation.
Laura's voice filled the room.
"Once the house is transferred, Mom won't have anything left to fight for.""
Patricia asked, "What about the trust?""
Laura answered, "I'll get to it. The bank already has the authorization.""
Patricia sounded nervous.
"Arthur's lawyer knows.""
"Then we make sure he can't reach her.""
Mabel looked at Martin.
"Is that why she redirected his letters?""
Martin nodded.
"Likely.""
The recording continued.
Patricia asked, "And Daniel?""
Laura laughed.
"He'll be in prison before anyone believes a word he says.""
Daniel stared at the screen.
Then another voice appeared.
It was Dr. Bell.
"Laura, this is getting out of control.""
Laura answered coldly.
"You were paid to help me. Don't pretend you have a conscience now.""
The recording ended.
Martin removed his glasses.
"This is significant evidence.""
Daniel looked at the files.
"There's something else.""
He pointed to a folder named *ARTHUR - FINAL NIGHT*.
Martin opened it.
Inside was a scanned photograph of a handwritten note.
Arthur had written:
If anything happens to me, ask Patricia what she carried into my room. Ask Laura why she needed my signature on a document I never saw.
Beneath it was a second sentence.
And ask Dr. Bell what he promised her.
Mabel stared at the words.
Arthur had known.
He had been trying to warn them.
Martin closed the file.
"We need to get this to Helen immediately.""
Before he could call, his phone rang.
The caller ID showed an unknown number.
He answered.
"Reeves.""
A man's voice spoke.
"Mr. Reeves, this is Dr. Bell.""
Martin stood.
"What do you want?""
"I need to talk to you.""
"Then talk.""
"I have the original document Arthur signed.""
Mabel rose from her chair.
Martin's eyes narrowed.
"Where is it?""
"In a safe deposit box.""
"Why didn't you disclose this earlier?""
"Because I was afraid.""
Martin looked toward Dean.
"Afraid of whom?""
Dr. Bell's answer was barely audible.
"Laura.""
May you like
Then he said something that made Martin's face go white.
"Arthur didn't die because of an accidental medication error. Laura came to the hospital with a plan.""
