Chapter 8: The Jacket
Ethan’s blue jacket was hanging inside Daniel’s apartment.
They drove there immediately.
The front door was open.
Daniel motioned for Claire and Ethan to stay in the hallway while he entered.
Drawers had been emptied.
Furniture had been overturned.
Someone had cut open Ethan’s mattress and ripped apart his toys.
But the blue jacket was still inside the closet.
Claire checked every pocket.
Nothing.
Ethan watched her.
“Mom fixed it.”
“What did she fix?” Claire asked.
“The hole.”
Claire examined the lining.
Near the collar was a small patch sewn with yellow thread.
She carefully opened it.
A brass key fell into her palm.
Daniel recognized the engraved number.
“Union State Bank.”
Claire called the police to report the break-in.
Before officers arrived, Ethan walked toward his damaged toy box.
His stuffed animals had been torn open.
He picked up a wooden train and began crying silently.
Claire held him while Daniel stood in the center of the destroyed room, furious.
On the wall, someone had written four words in black marker:
GIVE BACK WHAT IS OURS.
Victoria denied any involvement.
Caleb Ross claimed he had been at a private security conference all afternoon.
Both had alibis.
The next morning, Daniel and Claire visited Union State Bank.
The key opened a box registered under a false name.
Inside were three objects.
A flash drive.
A sealed legal document.
And a photograph of Ethan as a newborn, held by Claire’s father.
Daniel turned the picture over.
Thomas Bennett had written a message on the back.
Claire, someday this child may need you more than you understand.
Then the bank manager entered.
His face was pale.
“You need to leave,” he said.
“Why?” Daniel asked.
May you like
The manager locked the door behind him.
“Because Mrs. Parker knows you opened the box.”
