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

None of them wanted to reopen old wounds except Ethan, who had never accepted the abandonment narrative in the first place. There was, however, someone else who might be interested in what he’d found. Ethan pulled over to the side of the road, and found Detective Vance’s card in his wallet.

He hesitated before dialing, aware of how the detective might react to learning Ethan had gone to investigate on his own, but ultimately decided the information was too important to keep to himself. The detective answered on the fourth ring, his voice groggy with sleep, Vance here. Detective, it’s Ethan Dawson.

I’m sorry to call so late. There was a rustling sound as if the detective was sitting up in bed. Ethan, is everything all right? I found something in the evidence copies you gave me, Ethan said, deciding to ease into the full truth.

There was some kind of contract or lease agreement in the miscellaneous envelope, the address there pointed to a warehouse rented under the name Elizabeth Carter. But the signature, it’s my mother’s handwriting. I saw that, Detective Vance confirmed, sounding more awake now.

It caught my attention too. Why didn’t you mention it earlier? Ethan asked, unable to keep the accusation from his voice. Because it fits with what we already suspected, the detective replied patiently.

People who disappear voluntarily often establish new identities. They rent places under fake names, set up new lives. But it’s not a house or an apartment, Ethan pressed.

It’s a warehouse in an industrial zone, and the landlord is Raymond Doss. Did you look him up? There was a pause on the other end of the line. Yes, I did.

Raymond Doss was a well-known figure in certain circles. His businesses operated in grey areas of the law, predatory loans, debt collection practices that skirted legal boundaries. He was investigated several times, but never successfully prosecuted.

So why would my mother rent a property from someone like that? That’s where I think this all connects, Detective Vance said. Based on the evidence we’ve gathered, I believe your mother needed to disappear quickly and completely. Raymond Doss’s operations included helping people do exactly that, for a price.

That warehouse was likely a transition point, a place where people went to get new identities before moving on. You think she went there to change her identity? Ethan asked incredulously. To start a new life? It makes sense with the timing, the detective replied.

The lease is dated three months after her disappearance. That would give her time to make arrangements, possibly with a new partner. What new partner? Ethan demanded.

There’s no evidence she was seeing anyone. The sunglasses we found in the car, Detective Vance reminded him. Men’s sunglasses with the name Ronald carved into one of the arms.

Ethan nearly dropped the phone. Ronald? he repeated, his pulse quickening. You’re sure the name was Ronald? Positive, the detective confirmed.

Why? Does that name mean something to you? Ethan’s mind was racing. The guard at the warehouse had mentioned Ronald, said he handled Harvey Doss’s affairs, that Ethan should come back tomorrow to meet with him. Was it possible this was the same Ronald whose sunglasses were found in Catherine’s car? Ethan? Detective Vance prompted.

Are you still there? I’m here, he finally replied. I… I did something I probably shouldn’t have. After I found the lease agreement, I drove to the address on it.

You did what? The detective’s voice rose sharply. Ethan, that was incredibly reckless. If there is any connection between your mother’s disappearance and Raymond Doss’s operations… I know, I know, Ethan cut in.

But I did learn something. There was a security guard there, and when I mentioned my mother’s name, he reacted. He knew who she was, detective.

And he mentioned someone named Ronald who works there. Possibly the same Ronald whose sunglasses were in mom’s car. There was a long silence on the other end of the line.

When detective Vance spoke again, his voice was measured, controlled. Ethan, I need you to listen very carefully. These people are dangerous.

If they’re involved in your mother’s disappearance, they won’t hesitate to protect themselves. I don’t want you going anywhere near that warehouse again, understood? But… No buts, the detective interrupted firmly. This is now an active police investigation.

We’ll handle it properly with warrants and backup. Your involvement could jeopardize everything, not to mention put you in serious danger. Ethan gripped the phone tighter.

So what am I supposed to do? Just sit and wait. That’s exactly what you’re supposed to do, detective Vance confirmed. I appreciate you sharing this information, but now I need you to step back and let us do our job…