Mason.
Jacob.
I stopped breathing.
The documents were real enough to travel.
Different identities.
Daniel became David Miller.
Caleb became Owen.
Mason became Ethan.
Jacob became Ryan.
I touched Caleb’s photograph.
He was fourteen.
My boy.
My hand shook.
Then Detective Brooks opened another folder.
Property records.
A cabin.
Northern Montana.
Purchased through an LLC.
Five months before the disappearance.
Daniel’s video mentioned a cabin.
My heart exploded with hope.
“Is that where they went?”
Detective Brooks cautioned.
“Maybe.”
“Can we go?”
“We need to verify.”
I turned.
“Now.”
She nodded.
“We will.”
Then Marcus inserted the memory card into an evidence laptop.
It contained more videos.
The first was recorded two weeks before the disappearance.
Daniel and Dean.
Together.
Inside the storage unit.
Dean looked nervous.
Daniel was furious.
“You said this would stay business.”
Dean snapped.
“I didn’t know Harbor Crest would threaten the kids.”
My heart stopped.
The recording continued.
Daniel said.
“You introduced me to them.”
Dean answered.
“Because you needed money.”
“You told me they were legitimate.”
“I was wrong.”
Daniel laughed bitterly.
“You were paid.”
Dean froze.
“What?”
“You took a finder’s fee.”
Silence.
There it was.
Dean had not simply helped.
He had introduced Daniel to the lenders.
He received money.
Daniel continued.
“How much?”
Dean looked away.
“Ten.”
“Ten thousand?”
“Yes.”
Daniel stared.
“You sold me to loan sharks for ten thousand dollars.”
Dean shouted.
“I didn’t know.”
Daniel pushed a folder toward him.
“Then help me disappear.”
Dean looked frightened.
“If they find out I hel
