Chapter 3 - Enter Detective Miller
Detective Marcus Miller had seen a lot in his twenty years with the NYPD, but a kid trying to deposit a cartel-sized stash of cash was a new one. Miller was a towering man with salt-and-pepper hair, a weary expression, and a sharp, calculating gaze. He walked into the bank manager’s office, flashing his badge, his eyes immediately locking onto the green duffel. He didn't touch it. He knew better. "Who touched the bag?" he barked. Sarah raised a trembling hand. "Just the boy, and I... I touched the zipper." Miller nodded gruffly. "Alright. Everyone out, except the kid and the teller."
Once the room was cleared, Miller pulled up a chair opposite Leo. He softened his voice, a practiced technique for dealing with traumatized or young witnesses. "Hey there, Leo. I'm Marcus. I heard you're trying to make a big deposit today." Leo nodded eagerly. "Yes, sir. But the lady hasn't given me my passbook yet." Miller chuckled darkly. "Right. Listen, kiddo, I need to know your dad's name. It's really important so we can help him win his game of hide and seek." Leo hesitated, biting his lower lip. "He said not to talk to the police. Are you the police?" Miller sighed. "I am. But I'm the good police. I protect people."
Sarah, sitting in the corner, felt a surge of protective instinct. "Leo, he wants to help. You can trust us." Leo looked at Sarah, feeling a strange comfort in her presence. "Arthur," the boy finally whispered. "Arthur Penhaligon." Miller's radio crackled as he relayed the name to dispatch. A tense silence filled the room for three agonizing minutes until the radio buzzed back. The dispatcher's voice was tight. "Detective, Arthur Penhaligon is the former Chief Financial Officer of Vanguard Holdings. He went missing three days ago. He’s the prime suspect in a seventy-million-dollar corporate embezzlement case. The FBI is looking for him." Miller slowly lowered the radio, looking at the boy and then at the bag. The money wasn't drug money. It was stolen corporate funds. And the real thieves were likely looking for the boy right now.
