Daniel Played the Recorder Sophie Found — Then Vanessa Mentioned a Suitcase Hidden Upstairs
Chapter 3 — Sophie’s Name on the Form
Daniel pulled the document out.
Sophie’s full legal name was printed across the first page.
SOPHIE DANIELLE REED.
Date of birth.
Home address.
Passport number.
Emergency contact.
Almost everything was correct.
Then Daniel reached the signature section.
Father:
DANIEL REED.
A signature appeared beneath his name.
Daniel stared at it.
“I didn’t sign this.”
Vanessa looked away.
His signature had been copied well.
But Daniel knew his own handwriting.
“You forged my signature?”
“I can explain.”
“Then explain.”
Vanessa started crying.
“I wasn’t going to hurt her.”
Daniel’s expression changed.
“Why would you even need to say that?”
Sophie pressed herself against his side.
Daniel looked through the remaining papers.
A hotel reservation.
A rental-car confirmation.
A flight itinerary.
Two passengers.
Vanessa Blake.
And:
Sophie Reed.
Departure:
SATURDAY — 6:20 AM.
Destination:
Seattle.
Daniel looked at Vanessa.
“You were taking my daughter somewhere?”
“Not permanently.”
“Then why the suitcase?”
“Daniel—”
“Why two passports?”
Vanessa stayed silent.
He picked up the recorder.
“And why were you planting money in Sophie’s room?”
That question finally broke her.
Vanessa sat on the edge of the bed.
“Because I needed you angry with her.”
Daniel stared at her.
“What?”
“Just for one night.”
Daniel could barely believe the sentence.
Vanessa had deliberately accused Sophie of stealing.
But he still didn’t understand why.
Then the recorder gave them another answer.
