Chapter 15 - Mother's Choice
Amanda had been released on bond that morning.
No one had told Claire yet.
The prosecutor had agreed to supervised release because Amanda was cooperating against Trent and had no prior record.
She was supposed to stay with her mother.
She had not.
Police found the delivery uniform in a trash bin three blocks away.
Amanda's car was gone.
So was Lily.
Ethan felt betrayed in a new way.
Amanda had finally admitted she was wrong.
Lily had cried for her.
And Amanda had taken her anyway.
Then Amanda called.
Ramirez traced the phone while Claire answered.
“Where is Lily?”
“Safe.”
“Put her on.”
A rustle.
Then Lily's voice.
“Aunt Claire?”
“Baby, are you okay?”
“Yes.”
“Is your mom hurting you?”
“No.”
Amanda took the phone back.
“I am not hurting my daughter.”
“You abducted her.”
“I took her before Trent could.”
Claire froze. “What?”
Amanda spoke fast.
“He sent me a picture this morning. Lily at the residence. He knew where she was.”
“Why didn't you call police?”
“Because Trent has someone inside Daniel's company feeding him information. Every time police move, he knows.”
Ramirez's expression changed.
Amanda continued.
“I knew if I showed up openly, they'd stop me from taking Lily. So I did the only thing I could think of.”
“You kidnapped your own child from protective custody.”
“I know how it looks.”
“It looks insane.”
“I don't care how it looks!” Amanda screamed. “He tried to kill Daniel. He framed me. He watched Ethan through Claire's window. And now he wants Lily because she is the only leverage he has left.”
Ethan moved closer to the speaker.
“Where are you?” he asked.
Amanda went quiet.
“Ethan?”
“Where's Lily?”
“She is right here.”
“Put her back.”
“I can't.”
“You always say you can't when you mean you won't.”
No one in the room moved.
Amanda whispered, “You're right.”
Ethan's anger stumbled.
Then Amanda said, “I'm at the old lake cabin. Daniel knows it. Tell Ramirez there is one road in. I will leave Lily on the porch when I see police.”
Ramirez was already signaling his team.
Thirty minutes later, tactical officers approached the cabin through the trees.
Amanda stepped onto the porch holding Lily's hand.
She raised both hands.
“Go to them, baby.”
Lily ran.
Claire grabbed her and sobbed.
Amanda stayed on the porch.
Then a rifle shot cracked across the lake.
Wood exploded beside Amanda's head.
She dropped.
Officers shouted.
A second shot hit the porch rail.
Ramirez dragged Amanda behind a cruiser.
Ethan looked toward the far tree line.
A gray SUV tore out from behind the cabins.
Trent was driving.
May you like
And he wasn't alone.
The man in the passenger seat wore a jacket with Daniel's company logo.
