Chapter 13 - Vanessa's Demand Vanessa called at midnight.
"You found the drive."
"Where's my mother?"
"Safe."
"If you hurt her—"
"I won't."
Her voice was calm.
Almost gentle.
"I need the token."
"I don't have it."
"Your mother does."
I looked at Noah.
He was listening.
Vanessa continued.
"Bring me the death certificate and the flash drive."
"I don't have either."
She laughed.
"You're learning."
Then she sent a photograph.
Mom sat in the passenger seat of a black SUV.
She looked confused.
But alive.
On her lap was her old green handbag.
Noah stared at it.
"Grandma keeps Dad's prayer cards inside."
I zoomed in.
The inner pocket was open.
A small black object was visible.
The token.
Then another photograph arrived.
Water.
An abandoned pier.
A rusted sign.
PIER 9.
Vanessa called again.
"You have one hour."
"What if I don't come?"
"Then Elliot handles it."
I froze.
"Elliot is with you?"
"No."
The line went silent.
Then Vanessa whispered:
"That's the problem."
May you like
The call ended.
For the first time, Vanessa sounded afraid.
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