Chapter 12 - The Road to Blackwater Lake
Nolan looked genuinely terrified when Alvarez placed the note in front of him.
“They took Leo?”
Anna stood on the other side of the interrogation-room glass, watching.
Richard was inside with Alvarez.
Nolan rubbed both hands over his face.
“The lake house was Phase Two’s fallback location.”
Richard leaned across the table. “You knew they might take him?”
“No. Vanessa said she wanted somewhere private to bring Leo if Anna was hospitalized and you refused to cooperate.”
“You keep saying Vanessa said.”
“I was stupid.”
“You were useful.”
Nolan flinched.
Alvarez pushed a map toward him.
“Entrances?”
“One main road. Old maintenance trail from the north. Boathouse on the east side.”
“Security?”
“Cameras are dead. Power was shut off years ago.”
Nolan hesitated.
“What?” Alvarez asked.
“There’s an old storm cellar beneath the house.”
Anna felt cold behind the glass.
Nolan continued. “Edward Mercer had it reinforced after a break-in when Richard and Vanessa were kids.”
Richard’s expression changed at his father’s name.
“Could they hold someone there?”
“Yes.”
Alvarez immediately coordinated with county deputies and a tactical team.
Anna insisted on going.
“No,” Richard said.
“He is my son.”
“That’s why.”
“You don’t get to decide that fear belongs to you more than it belongs to me.”
Richard closed his eyes for a second.
Then he nodded.
Anna rode in an unmarked police SUV behind the tactical vehicle. Rain began halfway to Blackwater Lake, turning the narrow roads black and reflective.
Richard sat beside her.
Neither spoke until the lake appeared through the trees.
Then his phone rang.
Vanessa.
Alvarez signaled for him to answer.
“Where is he?” Richard said.
Vanessa’s voice was calm.
“You brought police.”
Richard looked toward Alvarez.
“How do you know?”
“You always think you’re the smartest person in the room.”
“Vanessa, if Leo is hurt—”
“He’s fine. He’s safer with me than he ever was with her.”
Anna leaned toward the phone. “Put my son on.”
Silence.
Then Leo’s frightened voice came through.
“Mommy?”
Anna’s eyes filled instantly.
“I’m here, baby.”
“Dark.”
Her heart stopped.
“Leo, listen to Mommy. Are you in a room?”
Vanessa cut in. “Enough.”
The call ended.
Alvarez looked at Anna. “He said dark.”
May you like
“The storm cellar,” Richard said.
Then the police SUV ahead of them exploded.
