Chapter 16 - Under the Pump House
The pump house sat above black water on rotting concrete pillars.
Aaron led them through trees while Nolan split the deputies into two teams.
“No lights,” she whispered. “No sirens.”
Lauren stayed behind Hannah.
Michael moved beside Robert.
Nobody spoke.
The air smelled like wet stone and rust.
Aaron found the hidden entrance behind a steel panel.
“Daniel showed me this years ago,” he whispered. “There’s a maintenance tunnel under the lake edge.”
Nolan checked her weapon.
“Stay here.”
Lauren grabbed her sleeve.
“My grandson is down there.”
“You go in, you give Daniel another hostage.”
Lauren hated it because it was true.
Nolan and two deputies entered.
Seconds later, the burner phone rang again.
Daniel’s voice came from Lauren’s pocket.
“You really think I don’t see them?”
Lauren looked around.
Camera.
There had to be a camera.
Daniel continued.
“Send the police back or the boy loses a finger.”
Hannah screamed, “No!”
Lauren grabbed the phone.
“Daniel, listen to me.”
“Oh, I’ve been listening to you for nine years.”
“You want someone to blame? Blame me.”
Hannah stared at her.
Daniel laughed. “You weren’t even there.”
“I was Hannah’s mother, and I didn’t see what was happening.”
“Nice speech.”
“Take me instead.”
“Mom, no.”
Lauren held Hannah’s gaze.
“If you want to punish this family, I’m part of it.”
Silence.
Then Daniel said, “Walk to the pump house alone.”
Michael grabbed Lauren’s wrist.
“No.”
She pulled away.
“If Noah lives, yes.”
Nolan’s voice came through Lauren’s earpiece. “Keep him talking. We’re inside.”
Lauren walked.
One step at a time.
The door opened before she touched it.
Sheriff Keene stood inside with a gun.
Lauren stopped.
Keene smiled sadly.
“You should’ve stayed home.”
“Where’s Noah?”
“Downstairs.”
“And Daniel?”
Keene’s expression shifted.
“Daniel thinks he’s in charge.”
Lauren felt a new fear.
“What does that mean?”
Keene grabbed her arm and dragged her inside.
The door slammed.
From below came Daniel’s voice.
“Bring her down.”
Then another voice answered from the darkness.
“No.”
Lauren recognized it.
Aaron.
But Aaron was outside.
She turned.
A second man stepped into the light.
Same eyes.
Same jaw.
Almost the same face.
Keene smiled.
May you like
“Aaron had a twin.”
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