Chapter 15 - THE TUNNEL
Stellan went to the tunnel.
Not alone.
He simply made Malcolm believe he was.
Police tactical units waited two blocks away. Elias and Celeste monitored the old service exits. I stayed in an armored vehicle with Fern and my father.
The camera on Stellan’s jacket showed damp brick walls and rusted rails.
Malcolm stood beneath a dead station clock.
Victor was tied to a chair.
“Ledger,” Malcolm said.
Stellan held up a black book.
“Victor first.”
Victor laughed. “Still negotiating like your father.”
Stellan ignored him.
Malcolm smiled. “You know, Victor really did hate you after Fern was born.”
Stellan’s face changed.
“You knew when she was born?”
“Of course. We had someone in the NICU.”
I stopped breathing.
Stellan’s voice went cold. “Who?”
“Dr. Peter Wynn.”
I knew that name.
Fern’s neonatologist.
The doctor who repeatedly told me her lung condition was worse than expected.
The doctor who insisted on expensive private follow-ups at a clinic I could barely afford.
Malcolm continued.
“Victor wanted a DNA sample. Wynn collected blood during routine testing.”
My stomach turned.
They had known Fern was Stellan’s daughter months ago.
“Why didn’t Victor act?” Stellan asked.
“Because I convinced him to wait until the trust transfer could be useful.”
Victor snarled, “Traitor.”
Malcolm raised his gun and shot Victor in the shoulder.
Chaos erupted.
Stellan moved.
Police rushed the tunnel.
Malcolm fired twice and ran through a side passage.
Victor collapsed.
Stellan chased Malcolm until the video feed broke into static.
I screamed his name even though he could not hear me.
Then my armored vehicle door unlocked from the outside.
Elias turned.
A man in paramedic clothing pointed a gun through the opening.
My father shoved me down.
The gun fired.
Daniel fell across my lap.
May you like
The attacker grabbed Fern’s carrier.
And ran.
