Chapter 2 — What Was Missing From Ryan’s Bag
Airport security stopped the stranger before he reached the parking garage.
His name was Martin Vale.
He insisted he had done nothing wrong.
“I don’t know those people.”
Ryan immediately shook his head.
“I saw you near my suitcase.”
Martin shrugged.
“This is baggage claim. Everybody stands near suitcases.”
Daniel did not accuse him yet.
Instead, he asked Claire and Ryan to inspect their luggage.
Claire opened hers first.
Clothing.
Shoes.
Books.
Everything appeared normal.
Ryan opened his.
His expression changed.
“No.”
He began moving clothes rapidly.
Daniel asked:
“What’s missing?”
“A blue case.”
“What’s inside?”
Ryan hesitated.
“An old film reel.”
Claire stared at him.
“A film reel?”
Ryan nodded.
His grandmother had given it to him that morning.
It was a small eight-millimeter reel stored in a blue metal case.
There was also a wooden relay baton inside.
And several old photographs.
“Why are you traveling with them?” Daniel asked.
Ryan explained.
His grandfather, Thomas Parker, had died the previous year.
Ryan was flying to Riverton for a high-school reunion ceremony honoring the 1984 state track team.
Thomas had been part of that team.
The school planned to open a historical sports exhibit.
Ryan’s grandmother wanted Thomas’s old memorabilia included.
Daniel looked toward Martin.
“Do you know Thomas Parker?”
Martin’s expression changed for less than a second.
Then he shook his head.
“No.”
Ryan stared at him.
“You’re lying.”
Martin laughed nervously.
“Why would I know your grandfather?”
Ryan pulled out one of the photographs still inside the suitcase.
It showed four teenage runners standing beside a track.
Ryan pointed toward the boy on the far left.
“That’s Grandpa.”
Then he pointed toward another runner.
Everyone looked at Martin.
The resemblance was unmistakable.
Ryan read the handwritten names beneath the photograph.
THOMAS PARKER. DAVID VALE. ERIC MORRIS. JAMES COLE.
Ryan looked up.
“Vale.”
Martin went silent.
Daniel asked:
“Who was David Vale?”
Martin finally answered.
“My father.”