Chapter 1 - THE SYRINGE ON THE SCREEN
Ethan watched Victor step into Amelia’s room on the live feed.
His uncle wore a dark overcoat over a gray suit.
The syringe in his hand caught the fluorescent light.
Amelia did not move.
Her wrists were secured to the sides of the narrow medical bed.
A monitor beside her showed a slow, steady heartbeat.
Lily pressed herself against Ethan’s side.
“Please don’t let him hurt Mommy.”
Ethan handed the phone to Dr. Hayes.
“Record everything.”
Then he turned toward his security director.
“Trace the signal.”
Marcus Reed was already working.
“The phone is routing through three private servers.”
“I need minutes.”
“You have two.”
On the screen, Victor removed the cap from the syringe.
Nora began sobbing across the room.
“He uses that when she remembers too much.”
Ethan looked at her.
“What is in it?”
“A sedative.”
“Sometimes something stronger.”
“Where is the facility?”
“I was never told the address.”
“You took Lily there.”
“They blindfolded me during every transfer.”
Lily tugged at Ethan’s sleeve.
“There were bells.”
“What kind of bells?”
“Church bells.”
“Four times every afternoon.”
She closed her eyes.
“And trains.”
“Very loud trains.”
Marcus looked up.
“There are only three private medical facilities near an active rail line and a church with a four o’clock bell schedule.”
Ethan pointed toward the screen.
“Send teams to all three.”
Victor leaned over Amelia.
Her eyes opened.
She saw him and tried to pull away.
Even through the silent feed, Ethan could see her mouth forming a word.
Lily.
Victor pressed the syringe against her arm.
Ethan’s hand closed around the edge of the table.
Marcus enlarged a reflection in the metal cabinet behind Victor.
A medical logo appeared backward.
ST. CATHERINE RECOVERY CENTER.
“I have it,” Marcus said.
The facility stood forty-eight miles north of the mansion.
Ethan ordered his helicopter prepared.
Nora stepped forward.
“Victor has men there.”
“So do I.”
“He will move her if he knows you are coming.”
Ethan looked at the live feed.
Victor suddenly turned toward the hidden camera.
His eyes narrowed.
Then the image went black.
Lily cried out.
Ethan knelt in front of her.
“I am bringing your mother home.”
“What if he knows?”
“He knows now.”
“That changes nothing.”
He stood and looked toward Nora.
“You are coming with us.”
Her face went pale.
“Why?”
May you like
“Because if Amelia was kept alive for seven years, there is a reason.”
“And you are going to explain it before Victor reaches her again.”
