“If you listen to it,” Marisol said, “do not do it alone. You might break something. Or someone.”
Calvin nodded once. “Thank you for your courage. I will make sure nothing happens to you.”
After she left, Calvin retrieved the flash drive and sat in the study. He pressed play. The first recording crackled.
Reese’s voice. Small. Scared. “Please. I do not want the rope again.”
Talia sighed. “Then stop whining. Stop disappointing him. I could make him choose me, you know. A real mother. One who is not dead. You think he cares about you? He would trade you for a healthy child tomorrow.”
Calvin slammed his fist into the desk. Pain shot up his arm. He paused the recording. He stared at the wall until his breathing was steady again. Then he copied the files. Transferred them to multiple drives. He would take them to law enforcement first thing tomorrow.
He walked back to Reese’s room. The boy slept. His breathing was soft and even. Calvin sat on the edge of the bed and placed a hand on his son’s back.
“You are mine,” he murmured. “No matter what anyone does. No matter what anyone says. I will not fail you again. This ends now.”