Scene: A cozy suburban house
Frank and Zoey sit across from a middle-aged couple, Dave and Cindy Wilson, at a round dining table. The atmosphere is tense, with a mix of confusion and unease lingering in the air.
Dave, holding the file with the child's information, furrowed his brow. "So... where did he come from?" he asked, his voice low but steady.
Zoey leaned forward, her tone calm but firm. "We're not entirely sure yet. But our sources indicate he may have been abducted."
Cindy gasped, her hand clutching Dave's arm. "Oh my god!"
Dave furrowed his brow, his tone skeptical. "Abducted? Abducted from whom?"
Zoey met their gaze evenly. "That's what we're investigating. And there may be another mother out there—someone who's been searching for her child all this time."
Cindy's face crumpled as tears welled up in her eyes. "Another mother...?" she whispered, her voice trembling. She turned to Dave, seeking reassurance.
Dave placed a reassuring hand on Cindy's back, gently rubbing it. "We'll get to the bottom of this," he said firmly, though his voice carried a trace of doubt.
Frank, his voice steady, spoke up. "Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, we're not accusing you of anything. But we need your help to uncover the truth. We believe the adoption agency might be operating under false pretenses."
Dave straightened, his jaw tightening. "What do you need from us?"
Frank exchanged a glance with Zoey before responding. "We need you to set up a meeting with the agent from the Forever Home Agency. Ask them questions about the child—where he came from, who he is, anything you can. We'll be nearby, monitoring everything. You don't need to confront them; just let us gather the evidence."
Cindy wiped her tears and nodded hesitantly. "If it helps get to the truth, we'll do it."
Dave sighed and placed a hand over hers. "We'll do whatever it takes."
Scene Change: Inside a bustling café
Dave and Cindy sat across from a well-dressed man in his late thirties, Mr. Caldwell, whose polished demeanor and confident smile betrayed no hint of unease.
"Hello, Mr. Caldwell. It's nice of you to meet us on such short notice," Dave said, his tone polite but measured.
"Of course," Caldwell replied smoothly, taking a sip from his coffee. "Meeting our clients' needs is our utmost priority." He set down his cup and leaned back in his chair. "I just want to take a moment to congratulate you both. I know how long and challenging this journey has been for you."
Dave and Cindy exchanged a glance but remained silent, sipping their drinks.
Caldwell chuckled awkwardly. "Oh, uh, heh-heh..." He cleared his throat. "Someone from our nursing home team will be reaching out soon to finalize the arrangements for you to meet your new son."
Noticing the couple's anxious expressions, Caldwell hesitated. "Do you have any questions?"
Dave leaned forward slightly, his tone casual. "Well, we've heard about birth parents sometimes changing their minds at the last minute..."
[Over the Radio]
Frank and Zoey listened intently from their car parked discreetly across the street.
"Just making sure everything is accurate," Dave's voice crackled through the earpiece.
"He's about to spook him," Zoey muttered, adjusting the radio.
"He needs to push about the adoption details," Frank said, shaking his head.
Caldwell smiled reassuringly. "Rest assured, our agency conducts exhaustive background checks and works with a network of reputable contacts, both domestically and overseas."
Dave nodded, flipping through the file in front of him. "Your agency mentioned he came from an orphanage in Estonia. Can you tell us more about that?"
Caldwell straightened in his seat, his smile faltering ever so slightly. "Such as?"
Dave hesitated, glancing at Cindy, who gave him a supportive nod. "Well, you hear stories... about what these kids go through before they find a home. We just want to be sure."
Caldwell waved his hand dismissively. "Oh, no, no, no. I assure you, there's nothing to worry about. These children are placed with great care." He smiled tightly. "As the agency's lawyer, I'm not directly involved with the children. But..."
Dave leaned in, cutting him off. "Maybe you could give us the name of someone at the agency who is?"
Caldwell's smile froze, his gaze darting between the two. He forced a chuckle, then looked at Cindy, who offered a nervous but polite smile. "You're welcome to speak with one of our adoption consultants," he said, his voice strained. He paused, as if calculating his next move. "Excuse me for a moment. I have to take this call."
He stood abruptly, pulling out his phone as he walked toward the café entrance.
[Outside the Café]
Caldwell stepped out onto the sidewalk, his phone pressed to his ear. "I think we have a situation. They're asking questions about Estonia," he said in a low voice.
[Across the Street]
Frank and Zoey exchanged a glance.
"That's it. We've got him," Frank said, already stepping out of the car. "Move, move!"
Zoey followed closely as they crossed the street, their eyes locked on Caldwell, who remained engrossed in his call, unaware of the approaching officers.
Frank and Zoey approached Theodore Caldwell, who was pacing nervously, his phone still pressed to his ear.
"No, it just feels funny. I don't think they—" Caldwell's words froze in his throat as Zoey's sharp voice interrupted him.
"Theodore Caldwell," she called firmly.
Caldwell turned, startled. "Excuse me?"
"DPD," Zoey said, flashing her badge.
Caldwell immediately began backing away, his face pale. "No, no, no—DPD? This must be some kind of mistake."
Zoey kept her tone calm but insistent as she stepped closer. "We need to talk."
"Talk? About what?" Caldwell stammered, glancing around for an escape route. "This is a misunderstanding."
Frank, flanking him, added, "We know about the abductions."
"Abductions?" Caldwell's voice cracked as he tried to sidestep them. "What abductions? I have no idea what you're talking about."
Zoey's gaze didn't waver. "You can do the right thing here. Help us."
Caldwell's laughter was bitter, almost hysterical. "You don't understand," he muttered, his movements increasingly erratic.
Zoey pressed on, her voice firm but with a hint of empathy. "Tell us about the agency. Help us find the real parents."
Caldwell suddenly stopped backing away, his lips curling into a mocking smile. "Real parents? Oh, my god!" He let out a dry, humorless laugh. "You have no idea, do you? The truth is, the Forever Home Agenc—"
[Sound of Honking and Screeching Tires]
In his panic and distraction, Caldwell had unknowingly stepped onto the busy street.
"Caldwell, stop!" Frank shouted, lunging forward.
But it was too late.
A bus came hurtling down the road, the driver slamming on the brakes, tires screeching as bystanders screamed.
The impact was brutal and immediate, sending Caldwell's body sprawling onto the asphalt.
Frank and Zoey rushed to the scene, but it was clear Caldwell was beyond saving. A small crowd gathered, murmuring in shock and confusion.
Zoey stood frozen for a moment, her hands trembling slightly. "We were so close," she whispered, staring at Caldwell's lifeless body.
Frank clenched his jaw, his eyes narrowing. "And we lost another lead."
Zoey took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "We need to secure his belongings, his phone, anything. Maybe there's a lead."