This wasn’t just abuse. This was an exit strategy. She had been planning this. She knew I would find out eventually. She had provoked the injury, or ignored it, and was prepared to vanish the moment the heat got too high.
My hands trembled as I took a photo of the contents. I zipped the bag, grabbed it, and ran.
I met Detective Holt back at the hospital entrance. I didn’t say a word; I just handed him the backpack.
He opened it, riffled through the cash and the passports. He read the note. His face hardened into a mask of professional resolve.
“This changes everything,” Holt said, his voice low and dangerous. “This isn’t just abuse anymore, Mr. Cole. This is intent to flee to a non-extradition country. This is conspiracy to kidnap.”
“She was going to take her,” I whispered, the reality crashing down on me. “She was going to steal my daughter and disappear.”
“She’s not going anywhere,” Holt said. He unclipped his radio. “Dispatch, this is Holt. I need a unit at the Cole residence immediately. And alert airport security for a Lauren Bishop, alias Laura Bennett.”
Just then, the elevator doors slid open.
Lauren stepped out.
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