Chapter 17 - THE MOTHER WHO REFUSED TO RUN
Claire forced Elena to the parking garage.
Noah cried against Elena’s shoulder.
Claire ordered her into an ambulance parked near the loading dock.
Elena noticed the driver’s seat was empty.
Claire expected someone else.
“You cannot escape with a newborn and no driver,” Elena said.
“Julian arranged everything.”
“Julian is in federal custody.”
“He has people outside.”
“You are waiting for someone who will never arrive.”
Claire pressed the gun against Elena’s side.
“Get inside.”
Elena obeyed slowly.
Then she threw Noah’s blanket across Claire’s face.
Claire fired into the ceiling.
Elena kicked the gun beneath the ambulance.
Security officers rushed from the stairwell.
Claire grabbed Elena’s hair and pulled her backward.
Elena struck her with the metal oxygen handle.
Claire fell.
Officers restrained her.
Noah never left Elena’s arms.
Upstairs, doctors fought to save Alexander.
The bullet had struck a protective vest beneath his shirt.
Grant had insisted he wear it after the medication vial appeared.
The impact fractured two ribs but did not enter his chest.
When Elena reached his room, Alexander opened his eyes.
“Noah?”
“He is safe.”
“You?”
“I saved myself.”
Alexander smiled weakly.
“I know.”
Claire’s arrest revealed Julian’s final network.
He had bribed hospital employees, police officers, financial advisers, and private investigators.
Federal agents arrested nine people in three states.
The evidence made a single trial impossible.
Richard, Julian, Cynthia, Vanessa, Dr. Bell, and Claire would face separate proceedings.
Before the first trial began, Alexander asked Elena whether she wanted their marriage legally restored.
Because Elena had been alive, his marriage to Vanessa was invalid.
Technically, he and Elena had never divorced.
Elena looked at him for a long time.
“I do not want a legal document to decide what we are.”
“What do you want?”
“Time.”
He nodded.
“I can give you that.”
“And honesty.”
“You will have it.”
“And no more family secrets.”
Alexander looked toward the city beyond the hospital window.
“That may require burning the Whitmore name to the ground.”
May you like
Elena adjusted Noah’s blanket.
“Then build something better from the ashes.”
