Noah Is Missing
Chapter 13 - Noah Is Missing
Madison's scream brought everyone running.
The nursery window was closed.
The front door had not been forced.
Noah's diaper bag was missing.
So was the portable car seat.
Blake still had a key.
Madison called 911 with shaking hands.
Then she called Ethan.
She didn't know why.
Maybe because the first time Noah had been in danger, Ethan had been the one person who moved instead of arguing.
He arrived before the police finished taking statements.
"What happened?"
"Blake took him."
"Are you sure?"
Madison looked at him.
"Yes."
This time, she was sure.
Police issued an alert.
Blake's phone was off.
His company car remained at the dealership.
His passport was missing.
Walter began calling attorneys.
Ethan stood in the hallway, forcing himself to breathe.
The old panic was coming back.
A crying child.
Adults talking.
Everyone waiting for someone else.
No.
Not again.
He looked at Madison.
"Where would Blake go if he wanted to make you follow him?"
She stared at him.
"What?"
"Not where he'd hide. Where would he go if he wanted you to come?"
Madison's face changed.
The lake house.
It had belonged to Daniel, Noah's biological father.
Blake hated it.
He hated every photograph there.
Every memory that existed before him.
Madison told the police.
They ordered her to stay home.
She did.
For twelve minutes.
Then she grabbed her keys.
Ethan stepped in front of her car.
"You can't drive like this."
"Move."
"I'll drive."
They headed toward the lake with police units behind them.
Forty minutes later, they saw Blake's rental car outside the house.
Madison ran toward the porch.
An officer stopped her.
Then the front door opened.
Blake stepped outside holding Noah.
The baby was safe.
Blake looked exhausted.
Almost defeated.
"I just wanted my family back," he said.
Madison stared at him.
"No."
He looked confused.
"You never wanted a family," she said. "You wanted witnesses who agreed with you."
Blake's face hardened.
Then he looked at Ethan standing behind the officers.
"You."
And suddenly, Madison understood.
May you like
Blake had not taken Noah just to hurt her.
He had taken him to force one final deal.
