Chapter 19 - The Kidnapping
Tyler had been sitting in the back row with a court-appointed social worker.
When the chaos erupted during Eleanor's testimony, the courtroom descended into panic.
People were shouting, reporters were pushing toward the aisle.
In the confusion, Tyler slipped away.
The realization hit me like a physical blow.
I screamed his name, pushing past lawyers and spectators.
The social worker was frantic, searching the hallway.
"He was just here," she cried.
"He went to use the restroom." We ran to the restrooms.
Empty.
The courthouse was immediately locked down.
Security cameras were reviewed.
The footage showed a chilling scene: amidst the commotion, a man in a janitor's uniform grabbed Tyler's hand and pulled him into a restricted stairwell.
The man looked up at the camera for a split second.
It was Cole Rivers.
My world stopped spinning.
It shattered.
Michael’s final act of revenge.
If he was going to prison, he was going to take my son.
The police launched a massive manhunt.
Helicopters swarmed the city.
Amber Alerts were issued.
But hours ticked by with no sign of them.
I paced the police station, out of my mind with terror.
Emily held me, rocking me back and forth.
Dad was eerily silent, staring at a map of the city on the wall.
He was tracing routes, analyzing patterns.
He was back in soldier mode.
"Cole won't go far," Dad muttered.
"He needs a place to lay low, a place he knows.
He's not a master criminal, he's a thug." The FBI joined the search, tracing Cole's known associates.
They found a lead: an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the industrial district, owned by a shell company linked to Michael.
It was a long shot, but it was all we had.
The tactical team geared up.
Dad tried to join them, but the police held him back.
"Let us do our job, Mr.
Carter," the captain said.
But I saw the look in Dad's eyes.
He wasn't going to wait.
May you like
When the police convoy rolled out, Dad slipped out the back door.
He was going after my son.
