Chapter 7 - The Empty Crib.
Daniel reached the nursery before the elevator doors had fully opened.
Rosie was crying alone.
Maisie's crib was empty.
The pink blanket had been dragged halfway across the mattress.
For the first time since Rebecca's death, Daniel felt fear without any place to hide it.
"Where would she go?"
Elise was already checking the apartment tracking panel.
"The building cameras are still offline."
Cole called their mother.
Straight to voicemail.
Daniel grabbed his keys.
Nathan appeared at the doorway.
"She has a townhouse on East Seventy-Fourth."
Daniel looked at him.
"My mother sold that place years ago."
Nathan shook his head.
"She transferred it to a holding company."
Cole stared.
"You knew?"
"I handled the paperwork."
Daniel shoved past him.
Elise caught his arm.
"Daniel."
He stopped because she had used his first name.
"Rosie cannot come."
"I know."
"I will stay with her."
Daniel looked at the remaining twin.
Rosie's face was red from crying.
Every instinct told him not to leave.
Every other instinct was screaming Maisie's name.
Elise held his gaze.
"Go get your daughter."
Daniel nodded once.
He and Cole took Nathan's sedan.
Rain had started outside, turning the city streets black and silver.
Cole drove while Daniel called the police.
He gave them the townhouse address and tried not to hear how unbelievable the story sounded.
His mother had taken his child.
His dead wife had suspected tampered medication.
A hidden recording had disappeared.
The facts belonged to somebody else's life.
They reached the townhouse in twelve minutes.
The front door was unlocked.
Daniel entered first.
"Mom?"
No answer.
A light glowed upstairs.
He took the stairs two at a time.
Maisie was in a guest bedroom.
She sat on the center of a large bed surrounded by pillows.
Evelyn sat beside her.
Daniel crossed the room.
He lifted Maisie so fast the baby startled.
Evelyn did not resist.
"What were you thinking?"
"I was protecting her."
"From whom?"
"From Elise."
Daniel stared at his mother.
"You kidnapped my daughter to protect her from the woman you left my other daughter with?"
Evelyn's mouth tightened.
"You do not understand what Rebecca started."
"Then explain it."
Evelyn looked toward Cole.
"You should leave."
Cole laughed.
"No."
Daniel held Maisie against his chest.
Her fingers caught his collar.
Evelyn lowered her voice.
"Rebecca intended to change the family trust."
Daniel frowned.
"What trust?"
"The twins' inheritance."
"My daughters are not even one."
"Which is why Rebecca's decision was reckless."
Daniel felt something ugly forming beneath the conversation.
"What decision?"
"She wanted Elise named as an independent guardian of the children's medical and caregiving interests if you became emotionally unavailable."
Daniel stared.
Cole swore softly.
Evelyn continued.
"She was building a case that you might not be fit to make decisions after her death."
Daniel's face burned.
Elise had never mentioned that.
"How much control would Elise have?"
"Enough."
Evelyn's eyes sharpened.
"And enough money attached to that role to give her a reason to make sure you stayed broken."
Daniel wanted to reject it immediately.
But doubt entered anyway.
It was fast.
Cruel.
Effective.
Evelyn saw it.
"Now you understand."
Daniel looked down at Maisie.
The baby rested one palm against his chest.
His phone vibrated.
A message from Elise.
DO NOT TRUST ANYTHING SHE SAYS ABOUT THE TRUST UNTIL YOU READ PAGE 14.
Daniel stared at the screen.
Another message appeared.
REBECCA KNEW SHE WOULD USE IT AGAINST ME.
Then a photograph arrived.
It showed a legal document.
Page 14.
One sentence was highlighted.
Elise Navarro shall receive no compensation, inheritance, property interest, or discretionary control under this appointment.
Daniel looked at his mother.
Evelyn's face changed when she saw the phone.
He finally understood.
"You lied."
Evelyn stood.
"I simplified."
"You lied while holding my daughter."
Police sirens grew louder outside.
Evelyn looked toward the window.
May you like
Then she said the one thing Daniel did not expect.
"Ask Elise who was driving Rebecca's car the night she died."
