Chapter 4: The Father Who Disappeared
For several seconds, nobody in the diner moved.
Boone stared at Sophie.
"Sweetheart, what did you just say?""
Sophie held tightly to his leather vest.
"Uncle Ryan took my real daddy.""
Daniel made a choking sound.
"That's not true.""
Sophie turned toward him.
"Mommy said you weren't my real daddy.""
Evelyn slowly released the little girl's shoulders.
She looked at her son as if she were seeing a stranger.
"Daniel?""
He shook his head.
"Mom, please. Don't listen to her. She's eight years old. She doesn't understand what she's saying.""
"Then explain it.""
Daniel looked at the broken window.
Outside, Ryan's truck had disappeared into the rain.
"We need to leave.""
Boone stepped in front of him.
"Nobody is going anywhere until somebody tells me what the hell is happening.""
Daniel wiped blood from his lip.
"You don't understand what these people are capable of.""
"Then help me understand.""
Daniel glanced at Sophie.
"Her biological father was my best friend.""
Evelyn blinked.
"Who?""
"Michael.""
The name seemed to drain the color from her face.
"Michael Reeves?""
Daniel nodded.
Evelyn slowly sat down.
Michael Reeves had been part of their family for years. He had grown up with Daniel, worked alongside him, and married Laura when they were both in their twenties.
Evelyn remembered his laugh.
His terrible jokes.
The way he used to carry groceries into her kitchen without being asked.
She remembered the morning he supposedly left town.
Daniel had told everyone Michael abandoned Laura and their newborn daughter.
He said Michael couldn't handle fatherhood.
He said Michael wanted a fresh start.
And Evelyn had believed him.
"Michael is dead," she whispered.
Daniel looked away.
"That's what I was told.""
Boone caught the wording.
"What do you mean, that's what you were told?""
Daniel rubbed his forehead.
"Ryan handled it.""
"Handled what?""
"Michael.""
Sophie began crying.
"Mommy said Daddy was still alive.""
Evelyn pulled her granddaughter close.
"Oh, sweetheart.""
"She said he was waiting for me.""
Daniel suddenly stood.
"That's enough!""
Boone grabbed his jacket.
"Sit down.""
Daniel struggled briefly, then realized Boone wasn't going to release him.
"You're making a mistake," Daniel hissed.
"No. I'm giving you one last chance to tell the truth.""
Duke returned from the kitchen.
"The sheriff is on the way. I also called an ambulance for the waitress. She's shaken up, but she's okay.""
Boone nodded.
"Good.""
Duke noticed the photograph on the table.
"Who's Michael Reeves?""
Daniel didn't answer.
Evelyn did.
"He was Laura's husband before Daniel.""
Duke looked between them.
"Before?""
Daniel lowered his head.
"Michael disappeared when Sophie was six months old.""
Sophie shook her head.
"He didn't disappear. Uncle Ryan took him.""
Boone crouched beside her.
"Did your mommy tell you where?""
Sophie nodded.
"She showed me a picture.""
"What picture?""
She opened her backpack and removed a folded drawing.
It showed a large building surrounded by trees.
There was a long driveway, a fence, and a red barn.
In the corner, a child's handwriting read:
Daddy's secret house.
Boone studied it.
"Do you know where this is?""
Sophie shook her head.
"Mommy said Uncle Ryan calls it the farm.""
Daniel's expression changed immediately.
"No.""
Evelyn looked at him.
"What?""
Daniel took a step backward.
"That's impossible.""
Boone held up the drawing.
"What's at the farm?""
Daniel swallowed.
"An old property Ryan inherited from our grandfather.""
"Where?""
"Outside Crossville.""
Duke pulled out his phone.
"How far?""
"About an hour.""
Boone studied Daniel's face.
"Is Michael there?""
Daniel didn't answer.
Then the front door opened.
Two sheriff's deputies rushed inside with their weapons drawn.
"Everybody keep your hands visible!""
Boone slowly raised his hands.
"Nobody here is armed.""
The older deputy approached.
"Who called about the shooting?""
Duke stepped forward.
"I did.""
The deputy looked at the broken window.
"Who fired?""
"Ryan Carter," Daniel answered.
The deputy turned toward him.
"You're Daniel Carter?""
"Yes.""
"Then we need you to come with us.""
Daniel shook his head.
"No. You need to listen to me.""
"Sir, put your hands behind your back.""
"Ryan has a gun, and he's going to that property!""
The deputy hesitated.
"What property?""
Daniel looked at Boone.
"The farm.""
Then he looked at Sophie.
And whispered something that made Evelyn cover her mouth.
"Michael might still be alive.""
The deputy immediately reached for his radio.
But before he could transmit anything, his phone rang.
He glanced at the screen.
His expression changed.
"Dispatch?""
A voice crackled through the speaker.
"Deputy Harris, we have an emergency. There's been a break-in at the Crossville property. One person reported missing.""
The deputy looked at Daniel.
"Who?""
A pause.
May you like
Then dispatch answered.
"Michael Reeves.""
