Chapter 15 - The Empty Bassinet
The door to Briar's room was open.
The bassinet was empty.
Then Briar shouted from the bathroom.
"Noah!"
I found her sitting on the floor, holding our son against her chest beneath a hospital blanket.
Colleen stood in front of them with a metal IV pole raised like a weapon.
"They're okay," she said.
My legs nearly failed.
I dropped beside Briar.
"What happened?"
"A maintenance man came in," she said. "He said the bassinet alarm was malfunctioning. Colleen recognized him."
Colleen nodded.
"Calvin Ross. He shaved his beard."
"Where is he?"
"Ran when I hit the emergency alarm."
Ortiz arrived with officers seconds later.
Security footage showed Calvin entering the stairwell and disappearing into the lower service corridors.
Briar pressed her forehead against mine.
"They're not taking him."
"No."
"Say it like you mean it."
I looked at our son.
"Nobody is taking him."
Ortiz's phone rang.
Her expression changed as she listened.
"Victor accessed the foundation vault eight minutes ago."
"And?"
"He removed three document boxes and exited through a tunnel connecting the old buildings."
Henry, standing behind us with his walker, whispered, "The freight tunnel goes to the river garage."
Maris appeared under police escort.
"He'll have Calvin meet him there."
Ortiz looked at her. "Why?"
"Because Victor doesn't run when he thinks he still has leverage."
She turned to me.
"He'll call you."
My phone rang before she finished.
Unknown number.
I answered.
Victor's voice was calm.
"Congratulations on your son."
My hands clenched.
"If you go near my family—"
"I don't need to. I have something better."
Paper rustled.
"Your original adoption file. Your father's unsigned trust amendment. And one video your mother has spent thirty-six years praying you never see."
"What do you want?"
May you like
He laughed softly.
"Come to the river garage alone, son."
