Chapter 9 - THE WOMAN IN ROOM 14
Margaret Whitmore had known everything.
That was why Vanessa had taken her.
Daniel admitted he had believed Margaret voluntarily entered a private medical facility.
“I signed the papers.”
Evelyn stared at him.
“You signed away my mother?”
“I thought she was sick.”
“You believed whatever Vanessa told you.”
Daniel lowered his eyes.
“Yes.”
The metadata in Vanessa’s photograph revealed one clue.
Room 14.
Saint Augustine Rehabilitation Center.
The facility had closed four years earlier.
Arthur remembered it.
“It’s outside Millhaven.”
Evelyn immediately stood.
Daniel blocked her.
“This is exactly what Vanessa wants.”
“My mother is there.”
“Maybe.”
Evelyn shoved him aside.
Clara grabbed her hand.
“Mom.”
Evelyn stopped.
“Don’t go alone.”
Three hours later, federal agents surrounded Saint Augustine.
Evelyn entered with them.
Room 14 was empty.
But the bed was warm.
Someone had been there minutes earlier.
On the wall, Vanessa had written three words.
TOO SLOW, EVELYN.
An agent found a hidden basement.
Inside were medical supplies.
Restraints.
Prescription bottles.
Arthur found Margaret’s wedding ring.
Evelyn nearly collapsed.
Then Clara noticed scratches on the wall.
Lines.
Dozens.
Maybe hundreds.
One for each day.
Beside them was a message.
EVELYN LIVES.
Margaret had known.
Evelyn touched the words.
“She knew.”
Arthur nodded.
“She never stopped believing.”
A phone rang somewhere in the building.
Everyone froze.
Clara followed the sound.
“Here!”
Inside an empty cabinet was another burner phone.
Evelyn answered.
Vanessa laughed.
“Family reunion going well?”
“Where is my mother?”
“Safe.”
“If you hurt her—”
“I’ve heard that speech.”
“What do you want?”
“The suitcase.”
“No.”
“Then Margaret dies.”
Evelyn closed her eyes.
“Where?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Where?”
Vanessa named the Whitmore estate.
Evelyn frowned.
“The house?”
“Our story started there.”
Vanessa paused.
“It should end there.”
The call disconnected.
Arthur looked at Evelyn.
“She’ll have the place prepared.”
“I know.”
“It’s a trap.”
“I know.”
Daniel stepped forward.
“Then use me.”
Everyone looked at him.
“Vanessa still thinks I want to escape.”
Evelyn laughed bitterly.
“Don’t you?”
Daniel looked at Clara.
“No.”
Clara stared back.
Daniel swallowed.
“For the first time in my life, I’m exactly where I deserve to be.”
The next evening, Daniel entered the Whitmore estate alone.
He carried the black suitcase.
Vanessa waited in the ballroom.
Margaret sat tied to a chair.
Alive.
Daniel stopped.
“Where’s Evelyn?”
Vanessa smiled.
“She’ll come.”
Daniel placed the suitcase down.
“Let Margaret go.”
Vanessa walked toward him.
“You always were sentimental at the worst possible moment.”
Daniel looked around.
“Where are your men?”
“Close.”
He nodded.
“Good.”
Vanessa narrowed her eyes.
“Why?”
Daniel smiled.
May you like
“Because mine are closer.”
Every window in the ballroom exploded inward.
