A mother went shopping but never returned. Fourteen years later, her family discovers the shocking reason Why…

What’s that? There’s an app, a secure messaging system we use, my login might still work, it has a GPS tracker for the ship, security camera feeds from on board, it’s how Ronald keeps tabs on everything. Detective Vance perked up visibly, and you’re willing to provide this access? The guard nodded slowly, like I said I’m dying anyway, might as well do something decent for once. Detective Vance slid a notepad across the table, write down the login information, everything we need to access it.

As the guard began writing, Ethan felt a surge of hope unlike anything he’d experienced in fourteen years, for the first time he had concrete evidence that his mother hadn’t abandoned them, and might still be alive. Detective Vance emerged from the interrogation room with a grim satisfaction, the guard’s login information clutched in his hand. Let’s get this to the tech team immediately, he said to Ethan as they hurried down the corridor, if this app works like he says, we might be able to locate the ship and even get visual confirmation of who’s on board.

They headed to a room where several officers sat at computer terminals, working with focused intensity. Detective Vance handed the login information to a tech specialist, explaining its significance. We need to access this app without alerting anyone monitoring the system, he instructed.

Can you do that? The specialist studied the information, then nodded confidently. I should be able to create a mirrored session that won’t trigger any security alerts, give me a few minutes. Ethan and Detective Vance returned to the waiting area, where the rest of the Dawson family remained.

As they approached, Ethan could see the strain on each face, the hope warring with disbelief, the fear of disappointment after so many years of resignation. Did you learn anything? Mark asked, standing as they entered. Potentially, Detective Vance replied cautiously, the guard provided access to an app that might help us locate the ship and confirm who’s on board.

Our tech team is working on it now. And you really think mom might be alive? Aldie asked, his young face a mixture of confusion and desperate hope. That she didn’t leave us on purpose? It’s looking that way, Ethan said gently.

Dad just told us about the medical bills, how mom was trying to find money to pay them. It makes sense now, she might have borrowed from Doss, couldn’t repay, and they forced her to work for them. But for fourteen years? Leah objected, though her usual scepticism was weakened by uncertainty, without any contact at all.

These organisations operate by isolating people, Detective Vance explained. They separate families, use threats and coercion to maintain control. If Catherine believed contacting you would put you in danger, she might have stayed away to protect you.

Dan reached out to grasp Ethan’s hand, his eyes filled with tears. I should have known, he whispered. All these years I thought she’d abandoned us because I was broken, because I couldn’t take care of our family anymore.

None of us knew, dad, Ethan reassured him, squeezing his father’s hand, but we’re going to find her now, we’re going to bring her home. Detective Vance’s phone rang, interrupting the emotional moment. He answered it quickly, listening intently, before saying, we’ll be right there.

Turning to the family, he announced, the tech team has accessed the app, they want us all in the computer lab immediately. They moved as a group down the corridor, Dan’s wheelchair pushed by Mark while Ellie and Leah walked on either side of their father, protective and supportive. Aldi stayed close to Ethan, occasionally glancing up at his oldest brother with new-found respect.

The computer lab was a large room filled with monitors, servers and technical equipment. The specialist who had been working on the app beckoned them over to a central workstation, where a large screen displayed what appeared to be a map, with a blinking dot, moving slowly across an expanse of blue. That’s the eastern horizon, the specialist explained, pointing to the dot.

According to the GPS tracker, it’s approximately 120 miles offshore and heading south-southeast. We’ve already relayed these coordinates to the Coast Guard. Can you access the security cameras? Detective Vance asked.

The specialist nodded, typing rapidly. The app has limited access to certain security feeds, primarily in work areas rather than private quarters. I’m cycling through them now…