The Mother Who Vanished
Chapter 05 - The Mother Who Vanished
By afternoon, Sarah's photograph was appearing on local news stations.
Her car had been found near an abandoned shopping center.
Her purse was inside.
Her phone was missing.
There were no signs explaining where she had gone.
Caleb was taken temporarily into protective custody.
Elena should have returned to work.
Instead, she remained beside him.
She couldn't explain why.
Maybe it was because every time a door opened, Caleb looked up expecting his mother.
Maybe it was because he refused to cry in front of the police.
Or maybe it was the name Carter.
Something about it bothered her.
Late that evening, Caleb finally spoke.
"My mom wasn't scared for herself."
Elena turned toward him.
"What do you mean?"
"She kept saying she was sorry."
"For what?"
Caleb thought.
"For believing the wrong person."
Daniel, now unofficially helping federal investigators, entered carrying a plastic evidence bag.
Inside was a small brass key.
It had been discovered sewn into the lining of the duffel.
The number 317 was engraved on it.
Daniel recognized the type immediately.
Airport storage lockers.
Elena stood.
"Mason Ridge removed those lockers years ago."
"Most of them," Daniel replied.
One old section remained in a restricted employee corridor beneath Terminal B.
Locker 317 hadn't been opened in six years.
Daniel obtained authorization.
Caleb wasn't allowed downstairs.
Elena stayed with him while investigators opened the locker.
Forty minutes later, Daniel returned.
He carried no money.
No weapon.
Only an old photograph.
He placed it on the table.
Caleb picked it up.
His hands began trembling.
The photograph showed Sarah.
Beside her stood Owen Carter.
Caleb's father.
The picture had a date printed across the bottom.
Caleb stared at it.
Then at Daniel.
"This can't be right."
Elena looked at the date.
May you like
The photograph had been taken fourteen months earlier.
Five years after Owen Carter had supposedly died.
