CHAPTER 12 — THE MISSING GRANDMOTHER
The protective order made Patricia’s disappearance more alarming.
Police issued a regional alert.
Daniel and Olivia were moved temporarily to a hotel under another name. Sophie remained with them at all times.
Officers searched Patricia’s apartment.
They found printed maps of Daniel’s neighborhood, Janet’s street and Saint Mary’s Hospital.
They also found photographs of Sophie taken through Daniel’s front window.
Some had been captured after the protective order was issued.
Daniel felt violated in a way he could barely describe.
“She was watching us,” Olivia whispered.
Security footage from a nearby gas station showed Patricia purchasing baby formula, diapers and bottled water the previous evening.
“She’s planning to take Sophie,” Daniel said.
The detective did not disagree.
Every family member was questioned.
Linda surrendered her phone.
Rachel provided a list of Patricia’s friends.
Michael told police about an old lakeside cabin once owned by Patricia’s parents.
The property had been empty for years.
Officers reached it before dawn.
The cabin was unlocked.
Inside, they found blankets, canned food and a portable crib.
But Patricia was gone.
On the kitchen table sat a handwritten note.
A CHILD BELONGS WITH THE PERSON WHO LOVES HER MOST.
Daniel read the photograph of the note on the detective’s phone.
“She thinks that person is her.”
Olivia held Sophie tighter.
The search continued for two days.
Daniel did not sleep.
Every sound in the hotel hallway made him stand.
Every unknown phone call made his heart stop.
On the third morning, Michael received a message from Patricia.
COME ALONE IF YOU WANT THIS TO END.
The message included an address.
An abandoned church forty miles north.
Police instructed Michael to respond while they traced the phone.
Daniel demanded to go.
The detective refused.
“She asked for your father. We need her to believe he is cooperating.”
Michael wore a hidden recording device and entered the church alone.
Patricia stood near the altar.
She looked exhausted.
There was no baby with her.
“You brought the police,” she said.
“No.”
“You always were a poor liar.”
Michael stopped several feet away.
“Where were you going?”
“Somewhere Daniel could remember who his real family is.”
“You were going to take his child.”
“I was going to protect her.”
“From what?”
“From Olivia.”
Michael’s voice hardened.
“Olivia nearly died because of you.”
“She was weak before I arrived.”
“You hid her medication.”
“I controlled it.”
“You took antibiotics.”
“She was ungrateful.”
Michael stared at the woman he had once loved.
“You don’t hear yourself, do you?”
Patricia’s face twisted.
“I gave everything to that boy.”
“You gave him fear and called it love.”
Patricia slapped him.
Police entered immediately.
She fought as they restrained her, screaming Daniel’s name.
Daniel listened through the live audio from a vehicle outside.
May you like
Then Patricia shouted something that silenced everyone.
“Tell Daniel Sophie isn’t even his daughter!”
