Chapter 4 - The Open Door
Richard reached the terrace in seconds.
Fresh snow covered most of the deck, but one trail of small footprints led toward the service stairs.
They were bare footprints.
Richard's stomach dropped.
"Noah!"
The wind swallowed the name.
Daniel shouted orders behind him.
Security lights flooded the property.
Mark came running from the library.
Richard turned so fast Daniel had to step between them.
"Where is he?"
Mark lifted both hands.
"I don't know."
"You were under watch."
"Then ask your people."
Claudia appeared behind him.
Her face looked genuinely horrified.
For the first time all night, Richard believed her fear.
That terrified him more.
Daniel's radio crackled.
"Movement near the lower maintenance road."
Richard was already moving.
He ran through the snow without waiting for a vehicle.
Daniel followed.
The trail of bare footprints stopped beside the old generator shed.
A child's blue mitten lay half-buried near the door.
Richard picked it up.
It belonged to Noah.
Inside the shed, the lights were off.
Daniel drew his flashlight.
"Sir, stay behind me."
Richard ignored him.
He pushed the door open.
The room smelled of oil, dust, and cold metal.
"Noah?"
No answer.
Then they heard a small scrape beneath the workbench.
Richard dropped to his knees.
Noah was curled behind a stack of old tarps.
He was wearing Richard's overcoat but nothing on his feet.
Richard pulled him out and wrapped him close.
"Why did you run?"
Noah trembled so hard his teeth clicked.
"The man came back."
Richard froze.
"What man?"
Noah buried his face in Richard's chest.
"The man from Grandma's room."
Daniel looked at Richard.
Richard's pulse pounded.
"When did you see him?"
"Before Dad put me outside."
"What did he look like?"
Noah shook his head.
"He had a black hat."
"Did he touch you?"
"No."
"Did he say anything?"
Noah hesitated.
"He said I wasn't supposed to find the red box."
Richard felt the cold differently then.
The missing footage was no longer only about Mark and Claudia.
Someone else had been inside the lodge.
Daniel scanned the shed.
A side window stood open.
Fresh snow dusted the floor beneath it.
Beside the window was the impression of an adult boot.
Daniel crouched.
"Someone came through here recently."
Richard held Noah tighter.
"Seal the entire property."
Daniel spoke into his radio.
No response came from the north gate.
He tried again.
Nothing.
Then a guard's voice crackled through another channel.
"North gate is open."
Daniel looked up.
"It should be locked."
Richard's expression changed.
"How?"
The guard answered.
"Manual release was used."
Daniel swore under his breath.
Richard carried Noah back toward the lodge.
Halfway there, headlights appeared on the lower road.
A dark SUV accelerated away through the open gate.
Daniel's men ran for their vehicles.
Richard stopped them.
"No chase."
Daniel looked at him.
"Sir?"
Richard glanced down at Noah.
"I am not leaving him again."
Daniel nodded and sent two men instead.
Inside the lodge, the nurse wrapped Noah in heated blankets.
Mark stood near the fireplace.
"He ran because you frightened him with all of this."
Richard turned slowly.
"There was another man on the property."
Mark's eyes flickered.
It was enough.
Richard saw it.
"You know who I'm talking about."
"No."
"Your face just answered."
Claudia stepped between them.
"Richard, please."
"Who is he?"
Mark stared at the floor.
Richard moved closer.
"Who is the man in the black hat?"
Mark said nothing.
Noah spoke from the sofa.
"His name is Mr. Pike."
Everyone turned.
Richard's blood went cold.
"Samuel Pike?"
Noah nodded.
Eleanor's attorney.
The trustee of Noah's seventy-million-dollar account.
The man Richard had not seen in nearly two years.
Richard looked at Daniel.
"Call him."
Daniel dialed.
The number rang once.
Then a recorded message announced the line was disconnected.
Richard looked back toward the red box.
Eleanor had warned him about forged signatures.
Samuel Pike controlled the trust.
And according to Noah, Samuel had been inside the lodge tonight.
Daniel's phone rang.
One of the pursuing vehicles had reached the mountain road.
The dark SUV had vanished.
But the guard had found something beside the north gate.
A leather folder.
Daniel put the call on speaker.
"What is inside?"
The guard answered.
"A passport, cash, and a plane ticket."
Richard's jaw tightened.
"Name on the passport?"
There was a pause.
"Claudia Hale."
Claudia collapsed into the nearest chair.
Mark stared at her.
Richard did not move.
The plane ticket was for Mexico City.
Departure time was 6:10 the next morning.
And taped inside the passport cover was a handwritten note.
Daniel read it aloud.
May you like
"Bring the boy, or the trust stays frozen."
