Chapter 5 - THE WRONG HOUSE
The rental house Lucas expected Maisie to be taken to was empty.
Police entered with the owner.
No child.
No Grant.
But there were signs someone had prepared for a toddler.
Diapers.
Juice boxes.
Blanket.
Portable crib.
Rachel saw the crib and nearly collapsed.
This had been planned long enough for someone to shop.
Detective Cole found an envelope on the kitchen counter.
LUCAS CARTER.
Inside:
a typed letter.
If this works, keep your mouth shut and follow the custody filing exactly. She will come apart when she thinks the child is gone. That is what you need witnesses to remember.
No signature.
Rachel looked at Lucas.
He whispered:
“I’ve never seen that.”
Maya asked:
“Who drafted your custody filing?”
Lucas looked at Elaine.
Again.
Elaine finally said:
“A lawyer.”
Name?
Daniel Pierce.
Not licensed family counsel.
A retired corporate attorney who once worked with Peter.
The filing was not yet submitted.
Draft only.
It described Rachel as:
emotionally volatile,
reckless,
unable to supervise Maisie during stress.
It referenced:
anticipated incident at birthday gathering.
Rachel stared.
Anticipated.
May you like
This was not a spontaneous emergency plan.
The legal story existed before the incident.
