Chapter 7 - THE TUNNEL

The service tunnel connected the courthouse to an old county parking structure.

By the time police reached the far exit, the SUV was gone.

A camera caught it heading south.

Emily issued an Amber Alert under Noah's real name.

For the first time in four years, Noah Bennett was publicly known to be alive.

Ryan saw the alert from jail.

He demanded a deal.

"I can get the boy back."

Emily sat across from him.

"Then talk."

Ryan admitted he worked for Judge Reed.

Not as mastermind.

As recruiter.

He found families with money and vulnerability.

Dead parent.

Divorce.

Disability.

Addiction history.

Anything that could be turned into a custody narrative.

Dr. Hale created medical support.

Reed signed orders.

Harbor took custody.

Lawyers drained trusts through fees.

Ryan got a percentage.

Sarah stared through the observation glass.

He had learned her grief.

Her routines.

Her children's fears.

All as part of a job.

Emily asked about Daniel.

Ryan looked away.

"I didn't kill him."

"Who did?"

"I don't know."

"Try again."

Ryan said Daniel uncovered the Bennett case.

He planned to give evidence to federal prosecutors.

Reed panicked.

Hale arranged the vehicle "problem."

Ryan only followed Daniel that night.

Sarah closed her eyes.

Only.

Everyone in the conspiracy had an only.

Then Ryan gave them a destination.

A private airstrip outside Columbia.

Reed kept a charter account there.

State police reached it first.

One aircraft was preparing to taxi.

Hale was inside.

So was Noah.

Reed was not.

Police stopped the plane.

Noah ran into an officer's arms.

Hale surrendered.

But when Emily asked where Reed was, Hale smiled.

"You're looking at the wrong escape."

"What does that mean?"

"Reed doesn't need to leave Tennessee."

"Why?"

Hale leaned back.

"Because the person protecting him is already inside your department."

Emily felt the room turn cold.

Then her phone buzzed.

A message from an unknown number.

STOP DIGGING, EMILY.

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Attached was a photograph of Ethan and Lucy inside the police station.

Taken ten minutes ago.