{"id":2344,"date":"2025-06-01T10:45:13","date_gmt":"2025-06-01T09:45:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/time.amazingstory.blog\/?p=2344"},"modified":"2025-06-01T10:45:15","modified_gmt":"2025-06-01T09:45:15","slug":"dog-barks-at-coffin-during-funeral-suspicious-son-opens-it-and-discovers-it-empty-story-of-the-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/time.amazingstory.blog\/?p=2344","title":{"rendered":"Dog Barks at Coffin during Funeral, Suspicious Son Opens It and Discovers It Empty \u2013 Story of the Day"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ryan and his family are mourning the loss of Ryan\u2019s father when his dog suddenly races into the church and starts barking at the coffin. Ryan\u2019s suspicions are roused when the dog shifts into an alert position. He opens the coffin and discovers it empty, prompting him to seek answers about what really happened to his father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBella, stay,\u201d Ryan sighed as he climbed out of his car outside the church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He paused on the sidewalk to smooth his dark suit. His heart was not prepared for the ordeal that awaited him behind those pale, wooden doors. How does a son say goodbye to his father? Especially under these circumstances\u2026by God, they couldn\u2019t even give Dad a typical funeral.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella interrupted his thoughts with a sharp bark. He turned back to his car and frowned when he saw the Malinois pawing at the back of the driver\u2019s seat. Although Bella was still young, it was unusual for her to behave like this after he\u2019d given her a clear command.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBella.\u201d Ryan gave her the hand signal to lie down. She obeyed instantly, and he reached through the open window to pet her head. \u201cNow, stay, Bella.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan walked away then, ignoring Bella\u2019s whine, and entered the church. The casket was already in place, closed, and the funeral director had discretely cordoned off the immediate area with a white ribbon. This was per the doctor\u2019s advice since Dad had died of a highly infectious disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It all bothered Ryan immensely. He sat beside his mother and took her hand. He had to be strong, for her sake, but his foot tapped out his agitation against the marble floor as he stared at the casket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Father Riley appeared then and stepped up to the pulpit. \u201cThank you all for coming today to bid a final farewell to Arnold, beloved father of Ryan and husband to Emily. Arnold was a good man and will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201c\u2026the deceased will now proceed to the crematorium,\u201d Father Riley informed the mourners at the end of the mass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mourners rose to sing the final hymn, but Ryan\u2019s heart wasn\u2019t in it. Dad was supposed to have been buried in the family plot, but the doctor had suggested cremation was a better option due to the circumstances of his death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan wiped at the tear rolling down his cheek as the funeral director and his employees approached the casket. This was all wrong! How could he honor his dad when he wasn\u2019t even permitted to carry his body from the church\u2026he never had a chance to say goodbye when Dad was alive, and now he couldn\u2019t even give him a proper farewell in death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He hung his head as he struggled to get his emotions under control. Then Bella\u2019s bark echoed through the church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Ryan stared in horrified disbelief as his dog jumped up against Dad\u2019s casket, knocking the elaborate arrangement of white lilies to the floor.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Her entire body jerked as she barked furiously at the coffin. The funeral director rushed forward and tried to shoo her away, but she ducked beneath the bier and growled at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBella, heel!\u201d Ryan strode forward to confront the spectacle of his dog barking at Dad\u2019s casket. \u201cStop this! Heel, Bella. I said, heel!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bella pricked her ears at him but didn\u2019t obey his command. She barked at the casket once more and then turned to Ryan as she sat in her alert position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The hair at the back of Ryan\u2019s neck stood up, and an icy chill settled in his guts. Something was wrong. He stepped over the white ribbon and approached the casket. Bella immediately started barking again and raced around the bier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIs this your dog?\u201d The funeral director snapped at Ryan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOpen the casket,\u201d Ryan said, ignoring the man\u2019s question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat? Sir, no. With all due respect, we can\u2019t do that. We were specifically advised\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI said, open the casket!\u201d Ryan snapped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRyan, what are you doing?\u201d Mom sobbed behind him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan turned and was greeted by the astonished faces of the mourners who\u2019d come to bid his father farewell. Two of his aunts whispered together, and his uncle looked ready to explode. But the face that stood out was that of his mother, who stared at him with heartbroken confusion in her eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan didn\u2019t know how to explain to them that Bella\u2019s unusual behavior was a sign that something was wrong. All he could do was prove it to them. Ryan turned his back on his shocked family, shouldered past the funeral director, and opened the casket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mom shrieked behind him. Several people called his name, but all of it faded into a background buzz as Ryan gaped at the white satin lining his father\u2019s empty casket. A heavy hand landed on his shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRyan, have you lost your\u2014oh my God.\u201d Uncle Thomas made the sign of the cross as he backed away from Ryan and the casket. He turned to the funeral director.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going on here? Why is my brother\u2019s casket empty?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The funeral director rushed forward. His jaw dropped, and he reached into the casket as though he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. Pandemonium broke out in the church. Distressed relatives rushed forward to see the empty casket for themselves. One of Ryan\u2019s younger cousins started screaming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhere is my Arnold?\u201d Mom keened, her voice trembling with emotion as her desperate cry echoed through the church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Ryan watched, Mom\u2019s eyes rolled back in her skull, and her knees buckled. He rushed forward and caught her just before her head hit the marble floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan lifted Mom in his arms and carried her away from the chaos of the church. As he shouldered through the doors, Bella appeared at his side. She dashed ahead and jumped back into his car through the open window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right now, Ryan was more concerned about his mother than his dog\u2019s odd behavior. He settled Mom in the passenger seat and drove her to the hospital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cYes, you heard me right, Detective Bradshaw, the casket was empty.\u201d Ryan glanced at the detective as he continued to pace the sitting room in his mother\u2019s house. \u201cThere has to be something illegal going on here, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Detective Bradshaw flipped through her notebook. \u201cIt certainly bears investigation, sir, but I can\u2019t say more than that at this juncture. We\u2019ve already interviewed the funeral director and have found no evidence that he did anything untoward with your father\u2019s remains.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDo you think\u2026I know it sounds crazy, but is it possible that this is all a big mistake and my dad is still alive?\u201d Ryan asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt this point, all we know is that the coroner confirmed the cause of death and released the remains to the funeral home,\u201d Detective Bradshaw continued. \u201cTell me, sir, was your father involved in any activities that I should be aware of as I continue my investigation?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan stopped dead. That particular question came out of nowhere. It got him wondering if the detective had uncovered something she wasn\u2019t telling him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo,\u201d he replied. \u201cHonestly, I haven\u2019t been involved in the business since I decided to open my dog training and rehabilitation center, but I can\u2019t see my father doing anything that would place his or the company\u2019s reputation at stake. Why do you ask?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s always better to be thorough.\u201d Detective Bradshaw smiled politely at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Detective Bradshaw rose and offered him her business card. \u201cI\u2019ll be in touch if I discover anything but please don\u2019t hesitate to call me if you remember any information that might be pertinent to this investigation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan nodded and showed the detective to the door. Despite her assurance about the coroner\u2019s report, Ryan felt sure there was something amiss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

He\u2019d seen the funeral director\u2019s reaction to the empty casket firsthand, and there wasn\u2019t a doubt in his mind that the man was just as shocked as he was.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

He slumped onto the sofa as he tried to organize everything that had happened into some sequence of events that made sense. Bella rose from where she\u2019d lain down to chew on one of her toys and set her head on his lap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan looked down into her intelligent, brown eyes as he scratched behind her ears. Her tail thumped against the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a good girl, Bella.\u201d He whispered to the dog. \u201cHow did you know? It makes no sense\u2026why would you alert for an empty casket?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, of course, Bella couldn\u2019t reply even if she wanted to. Ryan sighed and set those questions aside. It was no use pondering Bella\u2019s inexplicable behavior when he faced the more serious question of what had happened to his father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sitting on the sofa with his jumbled thoughts was driving Ryan mad. The hospital was keeping Mom overnight, so he fed Bella and let her out into the yard with some of her favorite toys. Then, he set out to find answers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cWhat do you mean the coroner has resigned?\u201d Ryan pressed his palms against the counter as he leaned over to stare at the nurse on the other side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat part do you find hard to understand, sir?\u201d The nurse snapped. \u201cOne day, Dr. Jeffries was here, complaining about his wife\u2019s \u2018shopping addiction,\u2019 as he liked to put it, and the next day he was gone. Early retirement, they told us.\u201d She huffed softly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat about the new coroner then?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAint no new coroner yet, and it\u2019s causing all kinds of backlog. So how about you tell me what you\u2019re after and I\u2019ll tell you if I can help you, okay, sir?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI want to see my father\u2019s file,\u201d Ryan sighed. \u201cHe was declared dead on\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The nurse raised her hand to cut him off. \u201cIt\u2019s against hospital policy to release the files for deceased patients without the proper authorization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre you kidding me? I\u2019m his son. I have a right to see those files!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNot without the proper authorization, you don\u2019t.\u201d The nurse eyeballed him over the top of her glasses. \u201cNow, if you don\u2019t mind, I have a ton of work to do. Come back once you\u2019ve seen the hospital administrator.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan pulled out his wallet. \u201cI don\u2019t want to cause you any more trouble, but I can tell you\u2019re under a lot of strain.\u201d He removed $50 and pinched it between his fingers. \u201cWhy don\u2019t you take a break? It\u2019s on me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The nurse arched her eyebrow at the note and then looked up at him. \u201cSir, I\u2019m under way more than $50 worth of strain, and sandwiches cost 20 bucks at the hospital cafeteria. You\u2019ll have to try a lot harder than that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The nurse\u2019s attitude took Ryan aback, but he didn\u2019t comment on it. Instead, he counted out $1000 and set it on the counter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think I will take that break now.\u201d The nurse smiled as she took the cash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Once the elevator doors shut behind the nurse, Ryan followed the signs on the walls until he found the coroner\u2019s office. The door was unlocked. He checked that the corridor was empty, then slipped inside.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Ryan padded slowly across the scuffed linoleum floor to the filing cabinets lining one wall of the small office. He started going through the cabinet marked \u2018K-L\u2019 and quickly found the spot where his father\u2019s file ought to be. There was nothing there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan double-checked the names. Then he checked under his father\u2019s first name in case his file had been misplaced, but there was nothing there. His father\u2019s file was missing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ryan fisted his hands in his hair and let out a frustrated groan. He\u2019d gained nothing from his search but more questions! He\u2019d hoped to find some clue in his father\u2019s file, but instead, all he had was a lighter wallet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He recalled what the nurse had said about the coroner\u2019s sudden disappearance. His gut told him it was no coincidence that the coroner, his father\u2019s file, and his father\u2019s body had all disappeared around the same time. It was all too hinky for words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan\u2019s phone chimed then. He quickly pulled it from his pocket and was about to end the call when he saw the caller ID.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMr. Stevens! I\u2019m so glad you called,\u201d Ryan said. \u201cI could really use a lawyer\u2019s opinion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd I\u2019ll be happy to provide it, but unless this is an emergency, you have more pressing concerns to attend to, Ryan. The responsibility of running your father\u2019s company now falls to you, and I\u2019m sorry to say it\u2019s not going to be smooth sailing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Stevens cleared his throat. \u201cIn fact, the sooner we can devise a strategy for damage control, the better,\u201d he continued. \u201cCan you meet me at your father\u2019s office in fifteen minutes?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan rubbed at his temple. It felt like his life had become a sequence of disasters and impossible questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSure, I\u2019ll head there right away,\u201d he said. If nothing else, this gave him an ideal opportunity to search Dad\u2019s office for clues about his disappearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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During the drive to Dad\u2019s office, Ryan mentally sorted through his fears and suspicions. He couldn\u2019t shake the feeling that Dad was alive and somebody had tried to cover it up. The only reason he could think of for anybody to do that was if they intended to demand a ransom for his return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But even though that seemed the most likely conclusion, it didn\u2019t sit well with Ryan. He was sure he was missing something and hoped he might come across information in Dad\u2019s office that set him on the right track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An overwhelming sense of nostalgia washed over Ryan as he entered Dad\u2019s office. He ran his fingers across the mahogany desk and felt a great weight settle in his heart. This mystery about Dad and Mr. Stevens\u2019s implication that the company was in trouble\u2026it all seemed too much to bear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All Ryan had ever wanted was a quiet life helping dogs through proper training for puppies and rehabilitation for as many strays and mistreated animals as he could afford to take in. At that moment, all he wanted was to turn his back on this impossible situation and return home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u2018A man should do what is right, not follow his own selfish interests.\u2019<\/em> Dad\u2019s words echoed through Ryan\u2019s memory like he was standing beside him.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2019re right, Dad,\u201d Ryan whispered. \u201cAnd I won\u2019t rest until I figure out what happened to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He rounded the desk and sat in Dad\u2019s chair as the computer booted. He opened Dad\u2019s email\u2014it seemed like the most likely place to start looking for answers\u2014and steepled his hands in front of his face when he was confronted with an empty inbox. Somebody had deleted every last message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cRyan! It\u2019s good to see you again, although I wish the circumstances were more fortuitous.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan glanced up at Mr. Stevens as he shut the office door. \u201cWho\u2019s been using this computer?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Stevens frowned. \u201cNobody. This office has been locked up since we got the sad news of your father\u2019s passing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan put his head in his hands. All he wanted was answers; instead, he kept encountering more mysteries. He glanced at the family photos on Dad\u2019s desk and noticed something was missing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhere are the dancers? Those figurines my dad was so in love with.\u201d Ryan pointed at the space where the two colorful post-modern figurines should\u2019ve been.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe took those home a few weeks before his death,\u201d Mr. Stevens replied. \u201cPoor Arnold\u2026he never was able to procure the third figurine in the set. Can you believe the man who owns the third dancer wouldn\u2019t accept anything less than half a million for it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Ryan was barely listening. He\u2019d been all through his parents\u2019 house since he arrived for the funeral and hadn\u2019t seen those figurines anywhere. Dad definitely hadn\u2019t taken them home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cAnyhow, we have important matters to discuss, Ryan.\u201d Mr. Stevens took a seat opposite Ryan. \u201cI\u2019m sorry to tell you that the company has incurred some serious debt over the past few months. In addition, our investors need an earnest show of faith if we\u2019re to win back their confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy would we need to win it back?\u201d Ryan asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Stevens softly cleared his throat. \u201cYour father missed several important meetings with investors in the months leading up to his death. Several smaller players pulled out entirely and some of the larger contributors have been threatening to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cThat doesn\u2019t sound like Dad. What\u2026why would he miss such important meetings?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt all started when his new secretary began working here.\u201d Mr. Stevens avoided Ryan\u2019s gaze. \u201cPlease don\u2019t repeat what I\u2019m about to tell you to Emily. I\u2019d hate to smear your father\u2019s memory over something that is, admittedly, just a suspicion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPlease, just tell me, Mr. Stevens. I swear I won\u2019t tell my mother.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Stevens gave a curt nod. \u201cAs you know, I worked closely with your father to manage this company. As such, I had many opportunities to observe him in this office, and I believe\u2026with all due respect to him and your family, I believe he was having a romantic relationship with his secretary, Miss Pearson.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ryan\u2019s gaze turned to the wide section of glass wall to the right of the office door and locked onto the attractive brunette woman seated at the secretary\u2019s desk outside. He rose from his chair and marched toward the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t confront her.\u201d Mr. Stevens stepped in front of Ryan. \u201cThis company can\u2019t weather yet another blemish on your father\u2019s reputation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan ground his teeth and stared at Miss Pearson through the glass. She looked up and frowned at him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRyan\u2026\u201d Mr. Stevens placed a hand on his arm. \u201cI understand how shocking this revelation must be, but please remember it\u2019s only a suspicion. I have no proof they were having an affair.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFine.\u201d Ryan whirled away and returned to Dad\u2019s desk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the rest of the day, Ryan worked hard to solve the company\u2019s debt problem. He arranged to send gift baskets to the most vital investors and ended the day feeling like he\u2019d been through the wringer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He went down to the parking lot, climbed into his car, and waited. Almost an hour later, he spotted Miss Pearson exiting the elevator. She climbed into her car and headed for the exit. Ryan followed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She pulled into the garage of a modest suburban home. Ryan parked nearby and settled down to wait. He didn\u2019t know exactly what he was waiting for, but Miss Pearson was the first solid lead he\u2019d gotten, and he felt in his bones that she would eventually lead him to answers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sometime later, the whir of a garage door and an engine revving startled Ryan awake. Night had settled over the suburbs, and most houses lining the street were dark. It seemed like everyone was asleep except Miss Pearson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan ducked down in his seat and watched her reverse out of the garage. She turned in the street and headed in the direction of the city. Ryan started his car to follow her, but a better idea came to mind as he glanced at her garage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

He cut the engine and leaped from his car. The garage door was still closing. His eyes never left it as he raced across the lawn and onto the smooth driveway. He dived for the narrowing gap between the bottom of the garage door and the cement.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Ryan rolled through the small opening just in time. The garage door shut behind him, leaving him in total darkness. He leaned his forehead against the cold cement and breathed a sigh of relief. A moment later, the smell of old car oil drove him to his feet. He felt his way along the wall until he found the doorway leading into the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan tiptoed into Miss Pearson\u2019s home. He found the kitchen first and searched the drawers until he found a flashlight. He didn\u2019t want to turn on any lights in case she came home suddenly. He then headed down the hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A spark of anger ignited in Ryan\u2019s chest as he panned his flashlight over Miss Pearson\u2019s bedroom. There was a framed photo on the nightstand of Dad with his arms wrapped around Miss Pearson\u2019s waist as they smiled at the camera. Another showed them dancing together at a party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The worst picture of all showed Dad and Miss Pearson kissing on the beach in front of the family\u2019s timeshare in Barbados. Ryan\u2019s heart sank like a lump of lead. There was no doubt that Dad and Miss Pearson had been having an affair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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All Ryan could think of was the sadness on Mom\u2019s face at the funeral. How could Dad have betrayed her with another woman? And as for Miss Pearson\u2026Ryan snatched the photo from the nightstand and drew back his arm to throw it against the wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But this was not the time or place to vent his anger. He set the photo down and opened the nightstand drawer. There was nothing useful there, so he continued his search.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As time ticked on, Ryan\u2019s nerves started to get the best of him. Each creak and groan of the house settling startled him, and his heart kicked into overdrive every time he heard a car passing by on the street. Every time a curtain flapped in the breeze, it was transformed into a shadowy figure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan searched the entire house and found nothing. He was about ready to give up and get out of there before Miss Pearson returned when he noticed a slightly recessed drawer in the coffee table. He pulled it open. A grin spread over his face as he realized the drawer was filled with documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan found exactly what he needed in a manila envelope. He sat on the sofa and read through the life insurance documents in the envelope with a frown. It was a policy for Dad! He\u2019d insured his life for $7 million, and the sole beneficiary was\u2026Miss Pearson!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ryan jumped to his feet, folded the A4 envelope, and tucked it into his pocket. It was time to get out of here. He returned the flashlight to the kitchen drawer and then ducked into the garage. He fled the house and drove to the police station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An hour later, Ryan strode into Detective Bradshaw\u2019s office and set the insurance documents down on her desk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cMy father was having an affair with his secretary,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd he took out a life insurance policy for a sizeable sum and named her the sole beneficiary.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Detective Bradshaw scanned the documents and nodded. \u201cThis is quite compelling\u2026let me see what else I can find out about this Pearson woman.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan haunted the police station while he waited for Detective Bradshaw to discover something useful about Miss Pearson. The detective tried to get him to go home, but Ryan couldn\u2019t escape the feeling that something big was about to happen. And he was right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was seated near the front desk watching an officer deal with a minor complaint when he noticed Detective Bradshaw stride into the room with several other cops in her wake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cDid you find something?\u201d Ryan stood and joined the detective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMiss Pearson is booked on a flight to Morocco that leaves in an hour and a half,\u201d Detective Bradshaw replied as she continued walking. \u201cSince the US has no extradition treaty with the Moroccan government, it\u2019s vital we bring her in for questioning before she boards that plane. We\u2019re headed to the airport now to stop her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group burst out into the lot, and cops started heading to their cars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m coming with you,\u201d Ryan said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Detective Bradshaw glanced at him over her shoulder as she tugged open the driver\u2019s door of her dark, unmarked sedan. \u201cI understand your concern, but you\u2019re a civilian and I simply can\u2019t allow that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But there was too much at stake for Ryan to blindly obey the detective. He hurried to his car and followed the cops to the airport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ryan brought up the rear as the small group of cops ran through the airport, leaving startled travelers in their wake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPolice!\u201d Detective Bradshaw yelled as they approached a boarding gate. \u201cLet us through!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan slipped past the airport security officers by blending with the group, and they proceeded to the boarding area. The cops immediately spread out and started checking the passengers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cYou there! The dark-haired woman in the white shirt! Step out of the line and raise your hands in the air,\u201d Detective Bradshaw yelled.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The rest of the cops turned as one and trained their firearms on the woman just about to enter the passenger boarding bridge. The other passengers in the queue shied away, leaving her standing alone. Her long brown hair slid across her back as she turned to glance behind her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan was so relieved they\u2019d caught Miss Pearson in time that he started laughing. He watched in delight as she dropped her carry-on case and raised her hands. Detective Bradshaw rushed forward to handcuff her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the smile fell from Ryan\u2019s face when the cops turned the woman to lead her away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThat\u2019s not her!\u201d Ryan pushed through the police officers and approached the detective. \u201cThis isn\u2019t Miss Pearson.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t I tell you to stay out of this?\u201d Detective Bradshaw snapped. She then turned to one of the other officers. \u201cCheck the plane, the other passengers, and the passenger manifesto! The real Miss Pearson might still be here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But a few hours later, it became clear that the plane ticket was just an elaborate ruse. Ryan sank into a chair in the airport lounge and put his head in his hands. His only link to his father\u2019s disappearance had just gone up in smoke. He was back to square one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No\u2026he had significantly more information to work with than he\u2019d had when he started. There was the life insurance policy and the affair in addition to the missing body, coroner, and coroner\u2019s report. And although he had no way to prove it, Ryan felt certain Dad was still alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He\u2019d searched through Mom\u2019s house again, and the two colorful figurines of dancers were definitely not there. Nothing else was missing. Wherever Dad was now, he must\u2019ve taken the figurines with him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan leaned back and glared at the display in the duty-free gift shop nearby. It was deeply insulting to know that the only thing Dad had considered valuable enough to take with him was a couple of sculptures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An idea sparked in Ryan\u2019s thoughts. He removed his phone and frantically searched the internet as he hurried from the airport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Ryan stared at the 8-inch-tall sculpture locked behind the glass of an antique display cabinet. Like the other figures in the set, the artist had crafted her from different colored plastics melted together and shaped into an elegantly flowing, multicolored figurine of a woman dancing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The artist had claimed this set was a statement about the inability to be truly joyful in a world fraught with one climate crisis after another and a whole lot more that Ryan didn\u2019t recall. It all seemed like word salad to him, but his father had adored the two pieces he\u2019d purchased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cHow much will you take for it?\u201d Ryan asked.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

He turned to Mr. Frederick, the collector who\u2019d long denied his father\u2019s dream of completing the set by setting an exorbitant price on his figurine. The man smiled wolfishly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c$750 000,\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan ran his fingers through his hair. \u201cThat\u2019s a steep price, sir, far above the market value for this artist\u2019s work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Frederick shrugged. \u201cThen don\u2019t buy it. It really makes no difference to me, young man, but if you want it then you\u2019ll have to pay the price I\u2019m asking. It\u2019s non-negotiable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan nodded. \u201cFine, I\u2019ll take it, but I need some time to free up the cash.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ryan sat in his car and considered his options. He needed that figurine, but he wasn\u2019t a rich man like his father. Most of his money went to the rehabilitation center and the upkeep of the dogs housed in it. He simply didn\u2019t have hundreds of thousands of dollars lying around. Or did he?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He took out his phone and checked the NASDAQ website. Then he called Mr. Stevens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI need to sell $750 000 worth of my shares in the company, and I need to do it fast. Can you make that happen?\u201d Ryan asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre you out of your mind?\u201d Mr. Stevens snapped. \u201cOur share price has dipped since we announced the news of your father\u2019s death. If you sell so many shares, you\u2019ll no longer have a controlling stake in the company.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m aware, Mr. Stevens, but this is urgent.\u201d Ryan pinched the bridge of his nose. \u201cListen, there are things at stake here that are far more important than business. I need the cash immediately, but if I\u2019m right, I should be able to buy back those shares within the week.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Stevens was quiet for a long time. Ryan crossed his fingers and let the silence draw out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRyan,\u201d Mr. Stevens eventually replied in a measured tone, \u201cas a major stakeholder and legal advisor for the company, I get the feeling it would behoove me not to ask questions about why you need such a large amount of money at such short notice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cAs a longtime family friend, however,\u201d Mr. Stevens continued, \u201cI must know if this is related to the suspicion I shared with you about Miss Pearson.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn a manner of speaking, yes,\u201d Ryan replied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Mr. Stevens sighed. \u201cShe\u2019s also disappeared, you know\u2026didn\u2019t turn up for work today, and her phone number no longer exists. I\u2019ll get you the money\u2026best you not ask me the details\u2026and wire it to you asap.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you, Mr. Stevens!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan ended the call and spent the next half an hour staring at his phone. The moment he received the message that the money was in his account, he rushed back inside to speak to Mr. Frederick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got your money,\u201d Ryan declared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Frederick frowned. He muttered something about how the figurine was actually worth more than his asking price since it was the only available piece of the set, but Ryan cut him off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou asked for $750 000, sir, and that\u2019s what I\u2019m giving you, effective immediately. You said yourself that the price was nonnegotiable and I took you at your word\u2026are you not a man of your word, Mr. Frederick?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Emotions flickered across Mr. Frederick\u2019s face as he stared at the figurine in the display cabinet. He pressed his lips together and then removed a set of keys from his pocket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am a man of my word. Here,\u201d he removed the figurine and passed it to Ryan, \u201ctake it. I\u2019ll give you the details to transfer the money.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A wave of relief washed over Ryan as he returned to his car with the figurine in his hands. Now, he had the bait he needed; next, he had to set the trap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan called a few people from his car and made a quick stop before returning to Mom\u2019s house. Bella greeted him at the door with a wagging tail. She sat and stared intently at him until he walked over to scratch her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhere on earth have you been, Ryan?\u201d Mom appeared at the far side of the hall. \u201cI return from the hospital to find the house empty and poor Bella bored out of her mind. This is a time when we should be together as a family, and instead\u2026instead you\u2019re out all the time. Your dog misses you; I really can\u2019t keep her busy enough, and I\u2019ve barely seen you since the funeral\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mom broke into sobs, and Ryan rushed to her side. He put his arms around her and rubbed her back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Mom,\u201d he muttered. \u201cPlease just trust that what I\u2019ve been doing is very important. It will also be over very soon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ryan stood behind a pillar near the back of the auction house\u2019s main bidding area and studied the crowd through his shades. The figurine he\u2019d bought was the next lot up for bid. He glanced toward the podium as it was brought to the front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paddles flashed from numerous parts of the crowd when the bidding started. As the price climbed, the number of participants whittled down to just two. Ryan studied them intently. One was an overweight man with a prominent nose, and the other was a tall, white-haired man in a navy suit. Neither of them was his father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan shifted restlessly as he faced the possibility that his plan had failed. He didn\u2019t understand it. He\u2019d insisted on anonymity and personally paid for several adverts to ensure his father, wherever he might be, would know that the figurine was on auction today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c$600 000 going once,\u201d the auctioneer declared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Ryan\u2019s heart sank further. Not only was he going to lose his bait and miss the chance to find his father, but he was also going to make a huge loss on the figurine.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2026going twice\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c$1 million!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan got goosebumps at the sound of his father\u2019s voice. He stared in shock as Dad rose from a seat near the back of the auction room and removed his wide-brimmed hat. There was no mistaking that kindly smile, the dimple on his cheek, or his sparkling brown eyes. His suspicions were right: Dad was alive!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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\u201c$1 million going once\u2026going twice\u2026sold to the man in the beige coat!\u201d The auctioneer banged his gavel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Immediately, Dad put his hat back on and headed for the door. Ryan rushed around the edge of the room. He spread out his arms to block his father just as he reached for the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI can\u2019t believe you did this to me and Mom,\u201d Ryan hissed as he stared into his father\u2019s face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRyan?\u201d Dad\u2019s jaw dropped. \u201cWhat are you doing here? How\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMr. Kingsley, you\u2019re under arrest for fraud.\u201d Detective Bradshaw stepped forward and placed her hand on Dad\u2019s arm. She read him his rights as she handcuffed him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou\u2026\u201d Dad frowned at Ryan. \u201cYou tricked me! This was a trap.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, don\u2019t act like I\u2019ve committed some terrible betrayal, Dad! You\u2019re the one who had an affair and faked your own death so you could run off with your mistress! How could you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Dad hung his head. \u201cI fell in love\u2026all I wanted to do was be with Nicky. I was done with the pressure of tackling corporate problems and having to smooth talk investors all the time. I\u2019ve worked hard! I deserve a chance to relax. This was the only way I could do that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cSo you took out a huge amount in life insurance for your new life, bribed the coroner to falsify your death certificate and cause of death, and had all of us gather around an empty casket to mourn you!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Ryan grabbed the front of Dad\u2019s shirt. He pulled back his fist, but Detective Bradshaw pushed him back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMuch as I understand your desire to hit him, sir, rest assured that the confession you just got out of your father will be more than enough to ensure justice is served. And it\u2019s only a matter of time before we catch his accomplice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan let out a deep breath and looked Dad in the eye. \u201c\u2018A man should do what is right, not follow his own selfish interests.\u2019 You taught me that, Dad. I\u2019m sorry you couldn\u2019t follow your own principles, but I hope you realize that your failure to do so is what led to your downfall.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryan turned away and pushed the door open. \u201cYou can take him away now, Detective Bradshaw,\u201d he said. \u201cI don\u2019t think I can stand to be near him for one second longer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"For<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Despite being homeless and poor, Brandon is quick to offer his last $2 to an elderly man in need at the gas station store. The next morning, Brandon discovers he\u2019s been given a company to repay his kindness. He thinks this is the start of a new life for his family, but a powerful enemy wants to take it all away\u2026 Full story here.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

70-year-old Billy pays a hefty price for being honest and gets fired from a store job just two hours after being hired. While a desperate Billy is clueless about how he\u2019d afford his wife\u2019s urgent surgery, he finds $70,000 and a chilling note in his mailbox the next day\u2026 Full story here.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Train driver Alex is forced to stop his train when he encounters a young boy on the tracks. The child is weak and only manages to whisper, \u2018They took Sam,\u2019 before he passes out. Alex decides to help the child, not realizing that this decision will land him in a world of trouble\u2026 Full story here<\/em>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ryan and his family are mourning the loss of Ryan\u2019s father when his dog suddenly races into the church and starts barking at the coffin. […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2344","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorised"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/time.amazingstory.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2344","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/time.amazingstory.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/time.amazingstory.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/time.amazingstory.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/time.amazingstory.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2344"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/time.amazingstory.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2344\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2345,"href":"https:\/\/time.amazingstory.blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2344\/revisions\/2345"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/time.amazingstory.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2344"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/time.amazingstory.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2344"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/time.amazingstory.blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2344"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}