Chapter 3: The Granddaughter
The girl's name was Anna.
She was eight years old, Evelyn's granddaughter, and until three weeks ago, she had been hidden with a former nurse in a quiet town. Caleb listened while Evelyn explained the family tree he had been thrown into.
After Caleb was taken from her, Evelyn had been forced to marry Charles Harrow. Years later, she had a son, Julian. He grew up kinder than his father and married a schoolteacher. Anna was their daughter.
Then Julian died in a climbing accident.
Evelyn no longer believed it was an accident.
"Anna inherited Julian's trust," Evelyn said. "Charles cannot touch it unless I am declared incompetent. That is why Adrian wants me back."
Outside the gate, Adrian stood beside the police cruiser. The little hand had vanished from the car window.
"Why bring Anna here?" Bear asked.
"Because he wants Caleb to react," Evelyn said. "A biker gang holding an unstable rich woman while threatening a child? That story writes itself."
Caleb walked to the gate alone, hands visible.
Adrian called, "Return Mrs. Harrow, and the girl goes home unharmed."
"Let me see her," Caleb said.
"That is not how negotiations work."
"Then we are not negotiating."
The officer frowned. "We received a kidnapping report."
"From him?" Caleb asked, pointing at Adrian. "Ask to see the kid."
The car door opened.
Anna stepped out in a red coat. Her face looked blank, too blank for a child.
"Grandma Evelyn is sick," Anna said flatly. "She should come home."
Evelyn appeared beside Caleb despite Bear's warning.
"Anna, sweetheart. Look at me."
The girl's eyes filled with tears.
"Grandma," she whispered.
Adrian grabbed Anna's arm, but Caleb caught his wrist through the gate and twisted until he let go.
Anna ran into Evelyn's arms.
Then Saint appeared with a phone.
A weak man's voice played through the speaker.
"Evelyn, if Caleb Stone is with you, do not trust the girl."
May you like
Anna slowly lifted her hand.
A silver tracking device blinked red in her palm.
