Chapter 9 - THE LAST LIE
The residential school sat behind a line of pine trees, far from the highway.
Lucas arrived with Daniel, two investigators, and a court order authorizing an emergency welfare check. He refused to bring a larger security team. He did not want his son frightened by armed men.
The head administrator met them at the entrance.
“Ethan is in class,” she said.
Lucas held up the photograph.
“His name is Daniel Moretti.”
The administrator looked at the picture, then at Lucas.
“I was told not to discuss his records.”
“By whom?”
“Celia Moretti.”
“Where is she?”
“She hasn't visited in months.”
Lucas's jaw tightened.
“Take me to my son.”
They found the boy in a classroom near the back of the building.
He was sitting alone beside the window, drawing a house with a red roof. His hair was longer than in the photograph. The scar above his eyebrow was faint but unmistakable.
Lucas stopped in the doorway.
Daniel—his Daniel—looked up.
For several seconds, neither moved.
The boy's pencil slipped from his fingers.
“Mr. Moretti?” he asked.
Lucas dropped to one knee.
“Danny.”
The child's face changed.
No one had called him that in years.
He stared at Lucas, searching his memory.
“My father used to call me that.”
Lucas's eyes filled.
“I still do.”
Daniel stood slowly.
“Are you my father?”
Lucas nodded.
The boy took one uncertain step.
Then another.
When he reached Lucas, he touched his cheek as if checking whether the man was real.
“Where was Mommy?”
Lucas could not answer at first.
“She loved you,” he finally whispered. “She loved you more than anything.”
Daniel began to cry.
Lucas gathered him into his arms and held him with a desperation he had never shown in front of another person.
“I thought you were gone,” he said. “I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.”
The boy clung to his jacket.
“I waited for you.”
Lucas closed his eyes.
“I know, sweetheart.”
Daniel stood nearby, wiping his face.
The investigators arranged for the boy to be examined by a pediatric specialist and placed under temporary protective care with Lucas. The school provided records showing that Celia had used false documents to enroll him.
But the reunion did not mean the danger was over.
As they prepared to leave, Lucas received a message from Victor.
I know where the boy is. Come home alone if you want him to stay safe.
Lucas showed Daniel.
“He knows.”
Daniel's expression hardened.
“Then we don't go home.”
Lucas looked at his son.
“Danny, we're going to visit someone who can help us. You'll stay with Uncle Daniel.”
The boy gripped his hand.
“Are you coming back?”
Lucas crouched.
“I promise.”
Daniel took the boy toward the waiting car.
Lucas watched until the door closed.
May you like
Then he turned to the investigators.
“Victor wants me alone. We'll let him think he has that.”
