Chapter 3 - UNTIE MY DAUGHTER
Daniel became concerned at 4:12 p.m.
Claire missed their usual check-in.
At 4:30, he called.
Straight to voicemail.
At 4:42, Claire’s bank texted Daniel.
Not because he had access to her account.
Because Claire had named him as an emergency fraud contact the week before.
Attempted account recovery.
Daniel’s stomach tightened.
He called Claire again.
Nothing.
Then he called Evan.
Evan answered.
“Yeah?”
“Where’s Claire?”
“Out.”
“Where?”
“I’m not her babysitter.”
Daniel heard background noise.
A door closing.
Maybe Lorraine.
Then:
“She said she was meeting you.”
Evan paused.
“No.”
Lie.
Daniel did not accuse.
“Okay.”
He called dispatch.
Not as father first.
As officer.
Requested welfare-check documentation and notified his supervisor that the subject involved his daughter and son-in-law.
Conflict.
Important.
He could not quietly use police powers like family property.
His lieutenant told him:
“You can look. If you find anything criminal, you step back.”
Daniel answered:
“Understood.”
Then location.
Claire’s car had roadside-assistance telematics through her insurer.
With emergency authorization initiated through standard channels, officers narrowed it to Lorraine’s street.
Daniel was closest.
He arrived before the second unit.
Claire’s car sat along the curb.
Lorraine opened the front door.
Surprised.
“Daniel.”
“Where is Claire?”
“She left.”
“Her car’s here.”
Lorraine smiled too quickly.
“Evan drove her.”
Then Daniel heard something.
Faint.
Behind the house.
Crying.
He stopped walking.
Lorraine noticed.
“What?”
Then Evan shouted from outside:
“Your old man can’t save you!”
Daniel’s face changed.
He moved.
Fast.
Lorraine followed.
“Daniel!”
He reached the shed.
Locked.
Then Claire screamed inside.
Daniel drove his shoulder into the door.
Once.
Again.
The latch splintered.
Claire was tied to the chair.
Torn light-blue blouse.
Dark jeans.
Face wet with tears.
“DAD!”
Daniel saw the ropes.
His jaw clenched so hard it hurt.
Evan stepped toward him with fist raised.
“Get off my property, old man!”
Daniel said nothing.
He stepped fully inside.
Evan sneered.
“What are you gonna do?”
Daniel pulled his badge into clear view.
Evan’s arrogant smile vanished.
“Untie my daughter.”
Silence.
Then Lorraine shouted from outside:
“EVAN! DID SHE SEND THE MONEY?!”
Daniel slowly turned toward the voice.
Evan went pale.
The second patrol unit pulled into the driveway.
And Daniel understood one thing instantly.
He could hit Evan.
Every part of him wanted to.
Or he could preserve the case.
He stepped backward.
Put both hands where responding officers could see them.
Then said:
“Officer needs assistance. Possible unlawful restraint and extortion.”
Evan stared.
Daniel looked at him again.
May you like
Ice-cold.
“You should’ve untied her.”
