Chapter 14 - The Morning Someone Tried to Take My Daughter
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The call came from Renee's school at 10:36 on a Wednesday morning.
I was reviewing financial records when my phone rang.
The principal, Mrs. Whitmore, sounded unusually serious.
“Mr. DeLuca, your daughter is safe. But we need to speak with you.”
I stood immediately.
“What happened?”
“Someone attempted to change Renee's pickup arrangements.”
My stomach tightened.
“Who?”
“A woman claiming to be authorized by her grandparents.”
I felt cold.
“Did she see Renee?”
“No. Our office staff followed the existing authorization procedures and refused the request.”
I closed my eyes.
“Thank you.”
Mrs. Whitmore continued.
“The caller presented information about a family legal matter and claimed new arrangements were being prepared.”
“Was there an order?”
“Nothing we could verify through appropriate channels.”
I looked toward Gabriel.
He was already standing.
“I'll be there,” I told the principal.
Twenty minutes later, I arrived at the school with Elena's legal contact information and the documents confirming my current parental authority.
Mrs. Whitmore met me in her office.
She showed me the record of the attempted change.
The caller had provided a name, telephone number, and a claim that Renee would be staying with her grandparents.
I recognized the number.
It belonged to an administrative assistant employed by one of Antonio's longtime attorneys.
I felt anger rise.
But I didn't raise my voice.
“Please preserve everything.”
“We already have.”
“Was Renee told?”
“No. She's in class.”
I thanked her.
Then asked whether I could see my daughter briefly.
Renee entered the office holding a drawing.
The moment she saw me, she smiled.
“Daddy!”
I knelt and hugged her.
“Hey, princess.”
“Are we going somewhere?”
“Not yet. I just wanted to see you.”
She studied me.
“Are you sad?”
I smiled gently.
“Not when I'm with you.”
She hugged my neck.
Then whispered:
“Can we make cookies when we get home?”
“Absolutely.”
After she returned to class, I called Charlotte.
She was furious when I explained the attempted pickup change.
“We'll document this and notify the relevant parties immediately.”
“Could they actually change anything?”
“Not by making a telephone call. Your adoption remains legally effective. Any court action must follow proper procedures.”
I exhaled.
“What should I do?”
“Keep the school informed of verified orders, maintain your records, and let us handle the legal challenges.”
I looked at the paperwork.
For years, I'd handled threats through intimidation.
A phone call.
A reputation.
A quiet warning.
But none of those methods would help Renee feel safer.
I needed something more permanent.
A lawful record of what had happened.
That afternoon, I reviewed the documents with Charlotte.
Then she called back.
“Michael, the person named in the pickup request has denied authorizing it.”
I frowned.
“Then who made the call?”
“We're trying to determine that.”
I looked toward Renee's bedroom, where she was baking pretend cakes with Rosa.
Then Gabriel appeared in my doorway.
“Boss, there's something you need to see.”
He handed me a printed copy of a message received at the family office.
It had been addressed to Antonio.
The subject was simple.
SECOND PLACEMENT — URGENT TRANSFER.
Below it was a name.
Lucas Vega.
May you like
And a date.
Tomorrow.
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