Chapter 12 - Private Transport
The transport company was called North Star Medical.
Mara found it buried under Halcyon's vendor list.
The company had billed $312,000 in twelve months despite having no public website and only one registered vehicle.
Daniel pulled the registration.
"Owner: E. Sloan Holdings."
Rebecca looked sick. "My father used my initials."
"Did you know?" Mara asked.
"No."
Nobody fully believed her.
Eli found the vehicle's last toll record.
11:58 p.m. the night Owen vanished.
Northbound.
Destination corridor: Lake Ray Hubbard.
Daniel stared at the map.
"There's a Mercer rehab property out there."
Nora heard him over the phone.
"Dad's old recovery center?"
"Closed three years ago."
Rebecca shook her head. "Not closed. Transferred."
"To who?"
"Halcyon."
At that exact moment, the power went out in Nora's hospital room.
Lucy startled awake.
The hallway lights switched to emergency red.
Elaine screamed.
Someone hit the locked door from outside.
Once.
Twice.
Then the handle moved.
Nora grabbed Lucy and backed toward the bathroom.
Rebecca pulled a small pepper spray canister from her purse.
"Who knows you're here?" Nora whispered.
"Everyone," Rebecca said.
The door opened.
Charles Mercer stepped inside.
Blood covered the side of his face.
May you like
"Get the baby," he gasped. "Everett is coming."
Nora looked down at Lucy while the emergency lights painted the room red. The baby had no idea adults were arguing over trusts, signatures, and power. She only knew warmth, hunger, and the sound of her mother's heartbeat. Nora kissed the top of her head and made herself a promise: whatever happened next, nobody would ever turn Lucy into paperwork again. Not Charles. Not Everett. Not anyone carrying a leather folder and calling control temporary. She would rather lose every dollar attached to the Mercer name than let anyone purchase a decision about her daughter.
