Daniel Found a Working Two-Way Radio Hidden Inside His Son’s Bedroom Wall — Then a Voice on the Other End Revealed Who Had Been Contacting Noah in Secret
Chapter 3 — Grandpa Henry’s Initials
Daniel stared at the letters.
H.R.
“Noah.”
The boy’s shoulders tightened.
Daniel already knew.
“Did Grandpa Henry give you this?”
Noah began crying harder.
Rachel closed her eyes briefly.
That reaction answered the question.
Daniel sat down rather than continue standing over him.
“Noah.”
“Look at me.”
The boy eventually did.
“You’re not in trouble for telling us the truth.”
“Did Grandpa give you the radio?”
Noah nodded.
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
Rachel placed one hand on his arm.
“When?” she asked.
“A long time ago.”
“How long?”
Noah thought.
“Before summer.”
Almost five months.
Daniel looked at the wall compartment.
“Did you hide it there?”
Noah shook his head.
“Grandpa did.”
Rachel became still.
“Grandpa Henry put that inside your wall?”
Noah nodded.
Daniel remembered Henry’s last visit.
He had come over to help repair one of Noah’s shelves.
Daniel was downstairs for most of the afternoon.
Henry had spent nearly an hour inside this room.
That was also the last time Henry had been allowed to visit without Daniel or Rachel staying nearby.
Not because anyone believed he was dangerous.
Because Henry had a habit of ignoring parental decisions he disliked.
Extra sweets after being told no.
Changing bedtime.
Telling Noah he did not have to follow rules Henry considered “too strict.”
Daniel had finally confronted him.
The argument became ugly.
Henry stopped visiting.
Or at least Daniel believed he had.
Rachel asked:
“How often do you talk to Grandpa on this?”
Noah looked toward the radio.
“Sometimes.”
“How often is sometimes?”
“A few nights.”
Daniel’s stomach dropped.
“Every week?”
Noah did not answer.
Then the radio crackled again.
And this time Henry’s voice came clearly through the speaker.
“Noah, if your dad found the radio, don’t say anything else yet.”
