Chapter 7 - Two Mothers
Adrian searched every room.
Thomas was gone.
So was the damaged phone containing Evelyn’s recording.
Daniel discovered an unlocked service door.
No forced entry.
No struggle.
Nothing.
Adrian stared at Grace’s message again.
DON’T TRUST THOMAS.
For the first time since finding Lily, uncertainty entered his mind.
Had Thomas invented part of the story?
Had the recording been manipulated?
Had Grace discovered something?
Then Daniel’s phone rang.
He answered.
His expression changed.
“We found Grace’s car.”
“Where?”
“Near St. Agnes Hospital.”
Adrian frowned.
The hospital had been abandoned for twelve years.
They drove there immediately.
Inside, the building smelled of mildew and broken plaster.
Adrian followed the sound of a baby crying.
He found Grace in an old treatment room.
Lily was in her arms.
Emma stood behind her.
Grace raised one hand.
“Stop.”
Adrian stopped.
“You took my daughter.”
“I was protecting her.”
“From Thomas?”
Grace nodded.
“Why?”
“Because he lied about what happened in those woods.”
Adrian’s eyes hardened.
“How?”
Grace looked toward the hallway.
“Thomas didn’t just save Lily.”
“He knew the ambush was coming.”
Adrian said nothing.
Grace continued.
“When I found him that day, he wasn’t surprised.”
“He already had a medical bag.”
“Blank documents.”
“Cash.”
“He was prepared to disappear.”
“Why would Evelyn’s head of security prepare to disappear before an ambush he supposedly didn’t know about?”
Adrian felt something tighten in his chest.
“Did he explain?”
“No.”
“But tonight, I saw the silver wolf ring.”
“The one Emma described.”
“Thomas was at the memorial.”
“He could have approached you.”
“He didn’t.”
“He used my daughter instead.”
Adrian looked at Lily.
She was sleeping against Grace’s shoulder.
“Where did Thomas take the recording?”
“I don’t know.”
Grace’s eyes filled.
“But I know he’s hiding something.”
Then Emma tugged Grace’s sleeve.
“Mommy.”
Grace crouched.
“What is it?”
Emma pointed toward an open medicine cabinet.
“I found the lady.”
Inside was a photograph.
Old.
Faded.
Adrian pulled it free.
The photograph showed Thomas Kane standing beside Victor Vale.
It had been taken eighteen years earlier.
Both men wore military-style jackets.
On the back was a handwritten note.
OPERATION WINTER HOUSE.
Adrian turned the photograph over again.
He had never heard those words.
Grace whispered.
“What is Winter House?”
A voice answered from the hallway.
“I was hoping you’d never have to know.”
Thomas stepped into the room.
Adrian drew his weapon.
Thomas raised both hands.
“I lied.”
Adrian aimed directly at him.
“That’s becoming obvious.”
Thomas looked at Lily.
“But I didn’t lie about saving her.”
“Then tell me everything.”
Thomas took a breath.
“Winter House was your father’s contingency plan.”
Adrian’s expression changed.
“What contingency?”
Thomas looked him directly in the eyes.
May you like
“The plan to kill Victor Vale if he ever betrayed the family.”
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