Chapter 6
Federal agents reached the port before the ship departed.
Detective Brooks ordered me and Noah to remain at the command center.
I obeyed for exactly twelve minutes.
Then Eric called.
“If I see police, the baby goes into the water.”
I heard Grace crying.
“Tell me where you are.”
“Come to Pier Nine alone.”
Brooks tried tracing the call.
Eric moved between disposable phones.
I told Noah to stay with Susan.
Then I drove toward the pier wearing a hidden transmitter.
The port stretched beneath bright security lights.
Cargo containers formed narrow metal corridors.
I followed Grace’s cries to a loading platform beside the water.
Eric stood near the edge.
The baby was strapped against his chest.
He held a gun in one hand.
“Stop there.”
I raised my hands.
“She is cold.”
“Sign the transfer.”
He pointed toward papers lying on a crate.
They gave him control of Mercer Development and all shares held for Noah.
“I can’t transfer Noah’s trust.”
“You can recommend me as guardian.”
“No court will approve you.”
“They will if you admit Noah attacked Vanessa’s baby.”
“There was no baby.”
“People believe documents, Daniel. I have better documents.”
Eric had prepared another lie.
The papers claimed Noah knew Vanessa was pregnant and intentionally stabbed her stomach to kill the child.
He wanted me to describe my son as violent.
“No.”
Eric moved closer to the edge.
Grace screamed.
“Sign.”
I picked up the pen.
“What happened to Emily?”
“You know.”
“I want to hear you say it.”
He smiled.
“She discovered the missing company money. She planned to tell Dad.”
“So you cut her brakes.”
“I loosened the line. I thought she would crash before reaching him.”
“And Dad?”
“He should have kept his mouth shut.”
Every word traveled through my transmitter.
I needed him to keep talking.
“You sent Vanessa to me.”
“You were lonely. She was convincing.”
“Did she know you killed Emily?”
“Eventually.”
“Did Caroline know?”
“She helped with Dad.”
Behind Eric, movement flashed between the containers.
Federal agents were closing in.
Eric noticed my eyes shift.
He grabbed Grace from the carrier and held her over the water.
“I said no police!”
I rushed him.
He fired.
The bullet struck the crate beside me.
I hit his arm before he could fire again.
The gun slid across the platform.
Eric held Grace with one hand and punched me with the other.
I caught the baby against my chest as he lost his balance.
For a terrifying second, Eric hung from the edge.
I grabbed his wrist.
He stared up at me.
“Help me.”
Despite everything, I pulled.
Agents reached us and dragged him onto the platform.
They handcuffed him.
Grace cried against my coat.
I checked her face, fingers, and breathing.
She was frightened but uninjured.
Caroline arrived at the port under police escort.
When she saw Grace, she begged to hold her.
Detective Brooks refused until paramedics completed an examination.
Caroline looked at me.
“You stole my baby.”
“Eric used her as a shield.”
“You don’t understand him.”
“I finally do.”
Noah arrived with Susan after the port was secured.
He looked at Grace from a careful distance.
“She’s tiny.”
“Yes.”
“Will she live with us?”
“That will be decided by a judge.”
He touched one of her hands.
Grace wrapped her fingers around his.
Then Brooks approached carrying Eric’s transfer papers.
“There’s another signature on these,” she said.
It belonged to Susan.
May you like
My attorney.
The woman standing beside my son.
