Chapter 12 - Pier 9 Pier 9 was an abandoned shipping yard beside the river.
Wind pushed through the rusted steel structures.
The water below looked like black glass.
Vanessa stood beside the SUV.
My mother was inside.
“Bag on the ground,” Vanessa ordered.
“Let her go first.”
“Daniel…”
“Let her go.”
Vanessa opened the passenger door.
My mother stepped out slowly.
She looked at me.
For one heartbreaking moment, she didn't know who I was.
Then she smiled.
“Robert?”
My father's name.
I nearly broke.
Vanessa grabbed the handbag.
My mother suddenly held on.
“That belongs to Claire.”
Vanessa froze.
My mother's eyes sharpened.
“You took my girl.”
A gunshot exploded.
The SUV's rear window shattered.
Vanessa screamed.
Ruiz's team moved.
I pulled my mother behind a concrete barrier.
Another shot struck the ground.
Elliot.
Vanessa shouted:
“You idiot! You were supposed to wait!”
She hadn't expected him.
Neither had we.
Vanessa ran toward the warehouse.
I followed.
Inside, smoke filled the air.
“Noah!” I shouted.
A voice answered.
“Uncle Dan!”
He emerged from behind a crate.
“You were supposed to stay outside!”
“Grandma texted me.”
“Where is she?”
“Safe.”
A metal door slammed behind us.
Click.
Locked.
Then smoke began curling beneath the ceiling.
Someone had started a fire.
Noah looked at me.
“Uncle Dan…”
I grabbed his shoulder.
“We're getting out.”
“But Vanessa has the token.”
I looked through the smoke.
She stood at the far end of the warehouse.
May you like
Holding the green handbag.
And smiling.
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