Chapter 9 - Smoke
Heat punched up the stairwell.
Marcus grabbed my jacket and dragged me toward the landing as smoke rolled from below.
Owen lowered the gun. “Move!”
We ran.
I say ran because that's what it felt like. In reality, I limped on a leg that had spent six months in a cage, one hand on the wall, every nerve screaming.
But I moved.
On my own.
When we reached the service hall, sprinklers burst overhead. Staff rushed toward exits. Alarms howled through the mansion.
“Lily?” I shouted.
“Safe room,” Owen said.
Marcus slammed him against the wall. “How do you know?”
“Because I put Nora there.”
“You expect me to thank you?”
“No. I expect you to listen before Lauren kills us all.”
That stopped everyone.
Owen said he had been working for Thomas Whitmore for four years. Not Lauren. Thomas.
Alive.
Hidden.
“He recruited me after your shooting,” Owen said. “I was supposed to watch the medical team and report whether you recovered.”
“Why take Lily?”
“I saw Lauren's text to Keller. She wanted the kid moved before you figured out the brace. I thought she meant use Lily as leverage.”
“Why didn't you tell Marcus?”
“Because Thomas told me Marcus was compromised.”
Marcus almost laughed. “Convenient.”
Owen reached slowly inside his jacket and pulled out a phone.
“Look.”
The screen showed a message thread from an encrypted account.
WHITMORE: If Vincent walks, Phase Two starts.
OWEN: What is Phase Two?
WHITMORE: Transfer custody. Remove obstacles.
My stomach turned.
“Custody of Lily?”
Owen nodded.
Another message appeared in real time.
WHITMORE: Fire failed. Use the north exit.
We all looked at the phone.
Whoever sent it believed Owen was still obeying.
Marcus's expression changed.
“Answer him.”
Owen typed: HAVE THE GIRL. WHERE?
The reply came within seconds.
BRING HER TO ST. VINCENT'S PARKING GARAGE. LEVEL 4. MIDNIGHT.
Then a second message appeared.
COME ALONE OR THE DOCTOR DIES.
I looked toward the smoke behind us.
May you like
Keller was no longer in the guest room.
He was gone.
