Chapter 6 - The Safehouse Confessions
Forty-eight hours later, the federal safehouse in downtown Columbus felt like the safest place on earth—and the most heavily guarded.
The four rescued children were placed under the care of specialized pediatric trauma doctors and child psychologists. Maya was recovering well, her infected molar successfully treated by Logan himself during a secure, private visit at the medical facility.
Logan sat at the stainless-steel kitchen island of the safehouse, staring down into a cup of black coffee.
Marcus walked in, carrying a thick file stamped with red federal classification markings. He tossed it onto the counter with a heavy thud.
“Arthur isn't talking anymore, but his laptop is,” Marcus said, pulling out a chair and sitting down. “We decrypted his encrypted ledger files this morning. It’s worse than we thought, Logan.”
“How bad?”
“It’s an international syndicate,” Marcus explained, rubbing his temples. “Wealthy, sterile couples paying upwards of half a million dollars for ‘customized’ children—orphans or neglected kids from rural areas whose disappearances could be easily covered up with forged adoption decrees and falsified birth certificates. Veronica was the acquisition scout. She traveled cross-country posing as a philanthropist, hunting for vulnerable kids whose families wouldn't be missed.”
Logan felt a cold knot form in his chest again. “And Maya?”
“Maya’s mother passed away in Chicago six months ago due to an accidental overdose,” Marcus said softly. “Maya was placed in a temporary state care facility that Veronica had managed to infiltrate using a shell charity. She was scheduled to be transferred to the Oak Ridge estate the very next day. She managed to slip out of the vehicle at a rest stop, and Veronica grabbed her in a park to drag her back.”
“She fought back the only way an eight-year-old could,” Logan said, remembering the frantic handwriting on the lead apron.
“Yeah. And because of you, she broke the whole damn ring wide open.” Marcus looked across the counter, his eyes softening. “You saved her life, Logan. Just like you wished you could have saved Toby ten years ago.”
Logan stared at the coffee cup, his reflection staring back from the dark surface. For ten years, guilt had been his constant companion. Now, looking at the file, he realized that pain had led him to the exact right place at the exact right time.
“The case isn't closed yet, Marcus,” Logan noted, tapping the classified file. “Arthur mentioned a client network. People in high places. People who funded this.”
May you like
“I know,” Marcus said grimly, standing up. “And that’s why you need to be very careful over the next few weeks. Because some very powerful people in Columbus just lost their investment.”
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