Chapter 17 - The Password
The abandoned camp sat behind rusted gates and dead pine trees.
Police stopped half a mile away.
Ruiz wanted a tactical team in position before Nathan moved closer.
He wanted to tear the building apart with his hands.
Instead, he listened.
"Victoria wants you emotional," Ruiz said. "Don't give her control."
Nathan carried a duplicate memory card in his pocket.
The original was already in evidence.
He walked toward the main lodge alone while officers moved through the woods behind him.
Inside, dust covered old picnic tables and faded children's posters.
Lily sat in a chair near the fireplace. Her hands were free.
Victoria stood behind her with a kitchen knife pressed against her own thigh, not Lily's throat, but close enough to make Nathan stop.
"Give me the card."
Nathan held it up.
"Let her come to me."
"Password first."
Lily shook her head.
Victoria's voice sharpened. "Your mother told you something that night. The red light. Then a number. What number?"
Lily looked at Nathan.
And Nathan suddenly remembered a bedtime game Emma used to play.
Red light, blue sky, seven stars.
Lily had repeated it for months after Emma died. Nathan thought it was nonsense from a children's book.
It wasn't.
"Seven," Nathan said.
Victoria's eyes flashed.
"What comes after seven stars?"
Lily whispered, "Mommy said never tell the bad lady."
Victoria lost her smile.
"Lily."
Nathan stepped forward.
"Victoria, you already lost. Grant is in custody. Police have the garage video and Emma's recording."
"Grant will trade me for his life."
"He already did."
That hit her.
For one second, the knife lowered.
Lily moved.
She kicked backward into Victoria's shin and ran.
Nathan lunged, caught his daughter, and turned his body over hers.
Victoria bolted toward the rear door.
Ruiz shouted from outside, "Police! Stop!"
May you like
Victoria disappeared into the trees.
Then came a crash, a scream, and silence.
