Chapter 6 - THE HOUSE WHERE CHILDREN DISAPPEARED
Northstar operated through a network of private facilities.
Some were legitimate.
Others were not.
The investigation uncovered a remote property near the Canadian border.
A former medical retreat.
Surrounded by woods.
Protected by private security.
Registered under a company connected to Nathaniel Vance.
Julian stared at the documents.
“Why would my brother own a place like this?”
His attorney, Margaret Hale, looked grim.
“We don't know yet.”
Elena sat beside them.
“Could Maisie be there?”
Margaret hesitated.
“Possibly.”
Julian looked at Elena.
“We need evidence before acting.”
She stood.
“My daughter could be alive.”
“I know.”
“Then why are we sitting here?”
Julian's expression softened.
“Because if someone is holding her, rushing in could put her in danger.”
Elena closed her eyes.
She hated that he was right.
They contacted authorities and provided the available evidence.
An investigation began.
Julian also arranged for an independent review of Northstar's financial records.
The findings were disturbing.
Several children had been placed in the company's care under questionable circumstances.
Records were incomplete.
Some guardianship documents appeared inconsistent.
Payments moved through offshore accounts.
And certain children had no clear discharge records.
Elena stared at the files.
“How many?”
Margaret looked down.
“More than we expected.”
Elena covered her mouth.
Meanwhile, Clara began speaking more.
Not constantly.
Not easily.
But enough.
She told Elena about a house with blue doors.
A woman who wore white shoes.
A little girl named Maisie.
And a room where the windows were covered.
Elena listened.
Never forcing.
Never demanding.
Sometimes Clara stopped.
Sometimes she cried.
Sometimes she simply held Elena's hand.
And Elena let her.
One afternoon, Clara drew a picture.
A house.
A tree.
Two little girls.
One wore a yellow dress.
The other held a red balloon.
Elena stared.
“Who are they?”
Clara pointed.
“Me.”
Then the other.
“Maisie.”
Elena's eyes filled.
“Where were you?”
Clara looked toward the window.
Then whispered:
“Before the bad road.”
Elena felt cold.
The highway ambush.
The disappearance of Vivian.
The missing children.
Everything was connected.
That night, Julian received a call.
An investigator had located a former Northstar employee.
She was willing to speak.
But only if her identity remained protected.
Her first words changed everything.
“Mr. Vance, your wife didn't disappear because someone kidnapped her.”
Julian went still.
May you like
The woman continued.
“She disappeared because she was trying to get the children out.”
