Chapter 9: The Locked Woman

The psychiatric facility stood behind high walls under the name Rosewood Recovery Center.

Laura obtained a warrant based on Wallace’s testimony.

Michael insisted on going.

Inside, administrators claimed no patient named Sarah Bennett had ever been admitted.

Laura presented a photograph.

The director looked away too quickly.

Agents searched the restricted wing.

In a locked room at the end of the hall, they found a thin woman sitting by the window.

Her hair had been cut short.

Her wrists bore restraint scars.

Michael stopped in the doorway.

“Sarah?”

She turned.

For several seconds, she did not react.

Then her eyes widened.

“Michael?”

He crossed the room.

She stood unsteadily.

They met in the middle, neither knowing whether to touch the other.

“You’re alive,” he whispered.

Sarah lifted a trembling hand to his face.

“You came.”

Michael closed his eyes.

“I’m sorry.”

She collapsed against him.

Laura allowed them a moment before asking questions.

Sarah explained that Julian had staged the car crash.

Victoria had kept her sedated and imprisoned, hoping to learn where she hid the evidence.

“They told Emily I was dead?” she asked.

Michael nodded.

Sarah began to cry.

“Where is she?”

“At the hospital. Safe.”

Michael hesitated.

“She knows I’m her father.”

Sarah stared at him.

Then she smiled through tears.

“I always wanted her to know.”

Back at the hospital, Emily saw Sarah in the doorway.

For one heartbeat, she seemed unable to breathe.

“Mom?”

Sarah opened her arms.

Emily ran.

Their reunion silenced everyone in the room.

Thomas watched from his bed, guilt consuming him.

Sarah finally looked at him.

“You.”

Thomas lowered his head.

“I have no excuse.”

“You stole eight years from Michael.”

“I know.”

“You made me believe he abandoned us.”

“I know.”

Sarah stepped closer.

“I hated you.”

“You had every right.”

Emily looked between them, frightened.

Michael placed a hand on her shoulder.

Sarah saw the child’s face and softened.

“This isn’t the place.”

Thomas nodded.

“I will accept whatever punishment you think I deserve.”

Sarah’s voice was cold.

“You don’t get to decide when you have suffered enough.”

Before anyone could respond, the hospital lights went out.

Emergency alarms activated.

Laura drew her weapon.

A message appeared on Michael’s phone.

Bring Sarah and Emily to the Bennett estate.

Come before sunrise.

Or Thomas Carter’s farmhouse burns with everyone inside it.

A live video followed.

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The farmhouse was already surrounded by flames.

And tied to a chair inside was Nurse Ramirez.