Chapter 13 - Lily
Claire screamed her daughter’s name.
Richard was already dialing Megan.
No answer.
Again.
No answer.
“Where did she take Lily?” Bell asked.
“My sister’s house. Twelve minutes away.”
Bell turned to Officer Collins. “Send units now.”
Claire tried to get out of bed.
Her obstetrician blocked her. “No.”
“My daughter is out there!”
“And your baby could come at any moment.”
Richard grabbed his coat. “I’m going.”
Bell pointed at him. “With us. Not ahead of us.”
The ride to Megan’s house took nine minutes with lights and sirens.
Claire spent every second calling.
On the tenth attempt, someone answered.
No one spoke.
“Megan?” Claire said. “Lily?”
A child breathed softly on the other end.
“Mommy?”
Claire’s knees nearly gave out though she was still in bed.
“Lily. Baby, where are you?”
“In Aunt Megan’s closet.”
“Why are you in the closet?”
“There’s a man downstairs.”
Claire pressed the phone to her ear.
“Is Aunt Megan with you?”
“No.”
“What happened?”
“She told me to hide. Then I heard something break.”
Claire fought to keep her voice calm. “Listen to me. Stay quiet. Police are coming. Do not open the door for anybody unless Aunt Megan or Grandpa says it’s safe.”
Lily whispered, “Okay.”
Then another voice came through the phone.
A man’s voice.
“Lily?”
Claire stopped breathing.
The man was inside the room.
“Your mommy sent me.”
Lily did not answer.
Claire whispered, “Don’t move.”
The closet handle rattled.
Police reached the house at that exact moment.
Bell entered through the front. Richard stayed behind the tactical officers despite every instinct telling him to run.
A crash sounded upstairs.
Then a shout.
Then silence.
Thirty seconds later, Bell appeared at the top of the stairs holding Lily in his arms.
She was crying but unharmed.
Megan was found in the kitchen with a cut on her forehead, conscious and furious.
The intruder was handcuffed in the hallway.
Richard recognized him too.
He was one of Grant’s company drivers.
In his pocket, police found a handwritten note.
Take Lily to Warehouse 6.
And beneath that:
May you like
If Claire won’t sign, use the child.
SOFT PINK
