Chapter 2 - The Lie at Gate 28
Her name was Vanessa Mercer.
She was thirty-four years old and had married the twins’ father, Captain Andrew Mercer, three years earlier.
Vanessa pointed at me.
“This is none of your business.”
Airport Police Sergeant Melissa Grant stepped forward.
“Actually, ma’am, abandoning two children in an airport makes this our business.”
“I didn’t abandon them.”
Lily looked at her.
“You said you weren't coming back.”
Vanessa’s face tightened.
“I told you someone would take care of you.”
Sergeant Grant stared at her.
“Who?”
Vanessa hesitated.
That hesitation said everything.
“Who,” Grant repeated, “was supposed to pick them up?”
“A family friend.”
“Name?”
Silence.
“Phone number?”
Vanessa folded her arms.
“I don't have to answer this.”
Grant almost smiled.
“You absolutely do.”
Owen hid behind me.
Vanessa noticed.
“Stop being dramatic, Owen.”
I felt his fingers tighten around my hand.
I looked directly at her.
“Don't speak to him like that.”
Her eyes moved over my uniform.
“And who exactly are you?”
“Colonel Daniel Steel.”
“I don't care if you're the President.”
“Good. Because rank isn't the issue.”
I pointed toward the children.
“They are.”
Vanessa grabbed her suitcase handle.
“My husband died four months ago. Those children are not biologically mine. I have no obligation to destroy my life raising someone else’s kids.”
Sergeant Grant frowned.
“You were their legal guardian?”
Vanessa said nothing.
Grant repeated the question.
“Yes.”
“Then you had an obligation.”
“I was overwhelmed.”
“You could have contacted authorities.”
“I tried.”
“Who?”
Another silence.
Marco walked toward me carrying his phone.
“Sir.”
Something in his expression concerned me.
“What?”
“We checked Captain Mercer.”
Vanessa's head snapped toward him.
Marco continued.
“Captain Andrew Mercer. Army Reserve. Logistics officer.”
I looked down at the twins.
Their father had served.
“How did he die?”
Marco glanced at Vanessa.
“Vehicle accident.”
Vanessa interrupted.
“Why are you investigating my husband?”
“Because,” Marco said, “something doesn't make sense.”
Vanessa went pale.
I caught it immediately.
“What?”
Marco lowered his voice.
“Captain Mercer filed an updated emergency family-care plan shortly before his death.”
Vanessa stared at him.
“That doesn't mean anything.”
“It names guardians for the children.”
I looked at her.
“You weren't the only option.”
Vanessa grabbed her suitcase.
“I’m leaving.”
Sergeant Grant stepped in front of her.
“No, you're not.”
Vanessa’s voice rose.
“My flight has already been delayed because of this!”
I almost couldn't believe what I was hearing.
“You abandoned two children, and you're worried about your flight?”
“You don't understand my situation!”
“Then explain it.”
Her eyes filled with anger.
“Andrew left me with everything. The mortgage. His debts. Two children who wake up crying every night asking for their father.”
Lily lowered her eyes.
Vanessa saw her.
For half a second, guilt appeared.
Then disappeared.
“I couldn't do it anymore.”
I kept my voice controlled.
“So you left them beside an airport gate?”
“I knew someone would find them.”
Owen whispered behind me.
“Colonel?”
I turned.
“Yeah, buddy?”
“Can we go somewhere else?”
That ended the conversation for me.
I looked at Sergeant Grant.
“Get the children away from her.”
Grant nodded.
A CPS caseworker arrived shortly afterward.
Her name was Rebecca Sloan.
She crouched beside Lily.
“I'm going to help find somewhere safe for you and your brother tonight.”
Lily immediately grabbed Owen.
“Together?”
Rebecca hesitated.
That scared Lily more than anything Vanessa had done.
“Together?” she repeated.
Rebecca smiled gently.
“I'll do everything I can.”
Owen looked at me.
“Are you leaving too?”
The question hit me unexpectedly.
“I have to make some calls.”
His face fell.
“But I'm not disappearing.”
“You promise?”
I looked him straight in the eyes.
“I promise.”
Marco followed me several yards away.
“Sir, you realize CPS may place them in emergency foster care tonight.”
“I know.”
“You can't control what happens next.”
I looked back at the twins.
Lily was still wearing my jacket.
Owen was still watching me.
“No,” I said.
“But I can find out what Captain Mercer wanted.”
Marco held up his phone.
“I already requested the family-care records.”
“And?”
“There’s something else.”
He showed me the screen.
Captain Mercer had listed two emergency guardians.
The first was his older brother.
Deceased.
The second name made me stare at the screen.
Colonel Daniel Steel.
I looked at Marco.
“That can't be right.”
“You knew him?”
I read the name again.
Then the memories came back.
Afghanistan.
A burning vehicle.
A young lieutenant pulling two wounded soldiers from wreckage.
Andrew Mercer.
I had not seen him in twelve years.
Marco lowered his voice.
“Apparently, sir…”
May you like
He glanced toward the twins.
“Their father knew exactly who he wanted protecting his children.”
