Chapter 10 - THE RECORDINGS

Don had been recording them for months.

Not because he was confused.

Because he knew no one would believe him without proof.

“Use the word wandering,” Vale said. “Judges react to wandering.”

Then came the recording that made Shawn’s hands shake.

Brenda’s voice.

“We can’t keep them downstairs after Christmas.”

Mark answered, “We won’t have to.”

“What if Hawthorne refuses them?”

“They won’t. Vale already paid the caretaker.”

“And Shawn?”

“He’ll think they’re traveling until the paperwork closes.”

Brenda whispered, “What if he comes home?”

Mark laughed.

“He hasn’t come home in twelve years.”

Shawn stopped the recording.

The truth hurt because Mark had been right.

His absence had been part of the plan.

Don looked at him.

“Son.”

“I made this easy for them.”

“No.”

“I did.”

“You made a mistake. They made choices.”

Shawn looked at his father.

Don’s eyes were tired but clear.

“Don’t carry their sin because you regret your own.”

That sentence stayed with Shawn.

Ortiz copied every recording.

The district attorney moved quickly.

Arrest warrants were issued for Mark, Vale, and Holloway.

Then a patrol officer found Peter Vale’s car abandoned near Hawthorne Care.

No Peter.

Blood on the driver’s seat.

And in the trunk, a suitcase containing forged deeds, cash, and three passports.

One passport belonged to Mark Dalton.

Ortiz called Shawn.

“Mark may be trying to leave the country.”

“Where would he go?”

“We don’t know.”

Don, listening nearby, suddenly spoke.

“I do.”

Everyone turned.

He looked at Shawn.

“Your grandfather’s hunting cabin.”

Shawn had not thought about that place in twenty years.

Don continued.

“Mark asked me about it last month.”

Then Maria whispered, “The cabin has a safe.”

Shawn looked at her.

“What’s in it?”

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Don answered.

“The original deed to everything.”