Chapter 17 - ROOM 714
Marcus drove faster than he ever had in his life.
Police reached the hospital first.
Room 714 was empty.
Khloe's things were gone.
"Mr. Hale, calm down. Your wife was moved."
"Where?"
"Labor and delivery."
"Why?"
"Contractions."
Khloe was awake, frightened, angry, alive.
"She's in preterm labor. We're trying to stop it."
Marcus went to her.
"I called you."
"My phone died."
"Of course it did."
Khloe managed a weak smile.
"Did you catch Thomas?"
"Yes."
"Good."
Avery appeared outside the room holding a small evidence box.
"We found something in 714."
Inside the wall behind the old camera mount was a microcassette recorder wrapped in plastic.
Charles Hale's confession.
He had recorded names, dates, account numbers, and his fears that Thomas Reeve and Owen Price were planning to harm him.
Charles admitted he had covered up Isabella's first theft when she was a teenager to protect the family name.
That cover-up gave Thomas leverage.
Charles said:
Marcus listened from Khloe's bedside.
Because Marcus had done a smaller version of the same thing.
Every time Khloe complained about Isabella, he had minimized it.
"I'm sorry."
Khloe squeezed his hand.
"I know."
"No. I need to say it right. I kept asking you to tolerate things because admitting my sister was dangerous would have changed my life."
Khloe's eyes filled.
"And it almost changed mine forever."
"I know."
The doctor checked Khloe.
"We need to move."
Marcus stood.
"What happened?"
"The baby's heart rate is dropping."
Khloe gripped his hand.
"Marcus."
"I'm here."
"We may have to deliver tonight."
Then Khloe pulled him closer.
"Whatever happens next, do not leave our baby to fix your sister."
"I won't."
May you like
The operating-room doors opened.
And Marcus walked in beside his wife.
