Chapter 5: The Man Who Watched Everything
I stared at the frozen image.
My father stood outside the nursery, one hand resting against the glass.
He was younger, his hair still dark, his shoulders straight.
But there was no mistaking him.
"That's impossible," I whispered.
Jordan leaned toward the screen.
"Grandpa?""
Elena nodded.
"Your grandfather was there that night.""
I shook my head.
"My father died eight years ago.""
"I know.""
"He had nothing to do with this.""
Elena looked at me carefully.
"Arthur, I don't know what he did. But I know he was there.""
I stared at the recording.
My father had been a retired police officer.
He had spent thirty years telling me that honesty was the foundation of every family.
He had once grounded me for an entire month because I lied about breaking a neighbor's window.
And now I was looking at him standing outside a hospital nursery while two newborn babies were exchanged.
"Did you know him?"" I asked.
Elena shook her head.
"I didn't meet him that night. I found his identity through the hospital's internal investigation.""
"Then why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I thought you knew.""
The words landed harder than I expected.
I stepped away from the laptop.
Jordan sat on the edge of the bed.
"Could Grandpa have arranged it?""
"I don't know.""
"But he was there.""
"Yes.""
I rubbed my forehead.
My father had died in the same house where I had grown up.
He had spent his final weeks telling me how proud he was of the family I had built.
I remembered sitting beside his bed.
I remembered holding his hand.
I remembered him asking me to promise that I would always protect Claire and the children.
At the time, I had thought it was simply an old man's concern.
Now I wondered whether he had been asking me to protect a secret.
Elena closed her laptop.
"Patricia is expecting us tomorrow morning.""
"We're not waiting until tomorrow," I said.
Jordan stood.
"Let's go.""
I looked at him.
"Are you sure?""
He nodded.
"I've spent eighteen years being told what I was allowed to know. I'm done.""
We left the hotel together.
Elena followed us downstairs.
Before we reached the parking lot, she touched Jordan's arm.
"Can I ask you something?""
He turned.
"Yes.""
"Would you be comfortable having dinner with me sometime? Not tonight. Whenever you're ready.""
Jordan hesitated.
Then he nodded.
"Maybe.""
Elena smiled through her tears.
"That's enough.""
I drove home with Jordan beside me.
The entire journey, he stared at the flash drive in his hands.
When we pulled into the driveway, I noticed the front door was slightly open.
My stomach tightened.
I reached for my phone.
"Stay behind me.""
We entered.
The living room was a mess.
The sofa cushions had been thrown onto the floor.
The decorative bowl was broken.
Several drawers stood open.
Nia appeared from the kitchen.
"Dad!""
I rushed toward her.
"Are you okay?""
She nodded.
"Mom took Maya upstairs.""
"Where's Marcus?""
"In the garage.""
"Who was the other man?""
"I don't know. He left ten minutes ago.""
Jordan looked around.
"Where's my phone?""
Nia pointed toward the coffee table.
It was gone.
I turned toward her.
"Did they take anything else?""
"The envelope.""
I felt my stomach drop.
"What about the documents?""
"Mom took some. Uncle Marcus took the rest.""
I started toward the staircase.
Nia caught my arm.
"Dad, wait.""
"What?""
She looked frightened.
"I heard them arguing.""
"About what?""
"Grandpa.""
I stopped.
"What did they say?""
Nia glanced at Jordan.
Then she whispered:
"Uncle Marcus said Grandpa didn't just watch the babies being switched. He paid the nurse.""
Jordan's face hardened.
"How much?""
"Mom said it was supposed to be one payment. But Grandpa kept paying her for years.""
I looked toward the staircase.
"Where is Maya?""
"Her room.""
I walked upstairs.
Maya was sitting on her bed, holding a pillow.
Her eyes were swollen.
Claire stood near the wardrobe, folding clothes into a suitcase.
I looked at the suitcase.
"What are you doing?""
Claire didn't turn around.
"I'm taking Maya somewhere safe.""
"From whom?""
"From this family.""
I stared at her.
"You don't get to decide that alone.""
She turned.
Her face was exhausted.
"Arthur, you have no idea what you're dealing with.""
"Then explain it.""
She looked at Maya.
"Sweetheart, go downstairs.""
May you like
Maya shook her head.
"I want to
