Chapter 6: The Man at the Hospital
The hospital corridor smelled like antiseptic and rain.
I ran through the automatic doors with Claire behind me.
A nurse hurried toward us.
“Grace Brooks?””
“Yes.””
“Emma's room is secured.””
“Is she alive?””
“Yes.””
I nearly collapsed with relief.
“Then what happened?””
The nurse looked over her shoulder.
“A man came in about ten minutes ago.””
“Daniel?””
“No.””
“Who?””
“We don't know.””
Claire stepped closer.
“What did he look like?””
The nurse hesitated.
“Mid-fifties. Gray hair. Expensive suit.””
Claire's face changed.
“Richard.””
I stared at her.
“Richard Vale?””
She nodded.
“But Daniel said he was dead.””
“He lied.””
We reached Emma's room.
Two hospital security officers stood outside.
Through the glass, I could see Emma sleeping beneath a white blanket.
A monitor blinked beside her.
Her tiny chest rose and fell.
I pressed my hand against the window.
“She's okay.””
“For now,” the nurse said.
I turned.
“What do you mean?””
The nurse lowered her voice.
“The man who came in knew things only the baby's parents should know.””
My stomach tightened.
“What things?””
“He knew about the birthmark.””
I looked at Claire.
“He said Emma had one behind her left ear.””
Claire closed her eyes.
“How did he know?””
“He also knew her blood type.””
I whispered, “Who is he?””
The security officer answered.
“He's in the waiting room.””
We walked there.
A man stood near the windows.
Gray hair.
Black suit.
Silver watch.
He looked calm.
Far too calm.
He turned when we entered.
His eyes landed on me.
Then on Claire.
“Grace.””
I froze.
“How do you know me?””
He smiled faintly.
“Your mother used to talk about you.””
I stepped forward.
“You're Richard Vale.””
“Yes.””
“You're supposed to be dead.””
He gave a quiet laugh.
“So I heard.””
Claire moved between us.
“Stay away from her.””
Richard looked at her.
“You never were very good at following instructions.””
“Neither were you.””
His smile disappeared.
I looked between them.
“You two know each other.””
Richard said, “Claire knows enough to be dangerous.””
Claire answered, “And you know enough to be guilty.””
The security officer stepped forward.
“Sir, you're not authorized to be here.””
Richard calmly produced a document.
“I am the baby's legal guardian.””
I stared at the paper.
The officer took it.
“Where did you get this?””
Richard looked at me.
“From Daniel.””
My stomach dropped.
“Daniel gave you custody?””
“Temporary custody.””
“Why?””
Richard's expression became serious.
“Because your daughter isn't safe with you.””
I laughed bitterly.
“You tried to enter her room.””
“I came to protect her.””
“You don't know her.””
“I know exactly who she is.””
He stepped closer.
“Emma is not Vanessa's daughter.””
“I know.””
“And she's not Daniel's daughter.””
“I know.””
Richard looked at me.
“She is yours.””
My breath caught.
“Then why did you want her?””
He hesitated.
“Because she carries something that belongs to me.””
Claire stepped forward.
“No.””
Richard ignored her.
“Your daughter inherited a genetic condition.””
I stiffened.
“What condition?””
“It's not a disease.””
He lowered his voice.
“It's a marker.””
Claire whispered, “The Vale marker.””
Richard nodded.
I looked between them.
“What does that mean?””
Richard sighed.
“Your mother was researching a rare genetic trait connected to several families.””
“And?””
“Emma has it.””
“Why does that matter?””
“Because whoever controls the research controls millions of dollars.””
I stared at him.
“That makes no sense.””
“It will.””
He looked at Claire.
“Tell her.””
Claire shook her head.
Richard continued.
“Your mother discovered that the trait could make certain medications dramatically more effective.””
I frowned.
“Drug research.””
“Yes.””
“And Emma has the trait.””
“Yes.””
“So you wanted her for research?””
Richard's face hardened.
“Daniel wanted her for research.””
That stopped me.
“What?””
Richard took a breath.
“Daniel didn't steal your baby for me.””
He looked directly at me.
“He stole her from you because he wanted the research.””
Claire whispered, “That's the truth.””
I looked at Richard.
“Then why did he give her to Vanessa?””
“Because Vanessa couldn't have children.””
I remembered every time Vanessa had talked about Emma.
Every time she called herself her mother.
Every time she complained about sleepless nights.
The strange possessiveness.
The fear whenever Emma was away from her.
Richard continued.
“Vanessa believed Daniel rescued Emma through a private adoption.””
“She didn't know?””
“At first.””
“And later?””
Richard looked toward the hallway.
“She found out.””
Claire nodded.
“She found out when Emma's blood tests came back.””
I felt sick.
“That's when they started planning to kill her.””
Richard said nothing.
I stared at him.
“Why now?””
“Because someone else knows.””
“Who?””
He looked toward the hospital entrance.
A black SUV had just pulled up outside.
Two men stepped out.
Richard's expression changed.
“Too late.””
Claire looked through the glass.
“Who are they?””
Richard reached inside his jacket.
The security officers immediately stepped forward.
He raised both hands.
“I'm not armed.””
Then he looked at me.
“Grace, listen carefully.””
“What?””
“Daniel wasn't the mastermind.””
My stomach tightened.
“Who was?””
Richard's eyes moved toward the entrance.
A woman walked through the doors.
She wore a cream coat.
Dark sunglasses.
And a thin gold ring with a black stone.
My blood ran cold.
The same ring from the nursery video.
The woman removed her sunglasses.
I knew her face.
But that was impossible.
Because I had watched her die twelve years ago.
Richard whispered:
“Your mother.””
The woman looked directly at me.
Then she smiled.
May you like
“Hello, Grace.””
And behind her, one of the men locked the hospital doors.
