Chapter 22 - The Night Claire Tried to Save Them

# Chapter 22 - The Night Claire Tried to Save Them

"Both girls."

I repeated the words because I couldn't believe what I had heard.

Claire sat upright in her hospital bed, tears sliding down her cheeks.

"Dan, I was trying to take Lily and Sophie away from Meridian."

I stared at her.

For eighteen months, I had believed my wife disappeared after an argument. Then I discovered she had been imprisoned inside our own home. Since her rescue, every new revelation had exposed another layer of the conspiracy surrounding our family.

But this was different.

Claire had planned to take our daughter and another little girl away without telling me.

"Where were you going?" I asked.

"Somewhere Marcus couldn't find us."

"And you weren't going to tell me?"

Her face crumpled.

"I was going to tell you once we were safe."

I turned toward the window.

That phrase again.

Once we were safe.

My mother had used it.

Richard had used it.

Marcus had used it.

And now Claire.

Everyone in my family seemed to believe that protecting someone required lying to them.

"Claire, Lily was four years old when you disappeared."

"I know."

"You were planning to take her away from me."

"No."

"Then what were you planning?"

She reached toward me.

"Daniel, I was trying to keep her alive."

I stopped.

The room became painfully quiet.

"Alive?"

Claire closed her eyes.

"Marcus wasn't only watching the children."

My stomach tightened.

"He was preparing to move them."

"Where?"

"To another facility."

"Why?"

Her voice trembled.

"Because the people financing Meridian wanted results."

I stared at her.

"What kind of results?"

Claire looked directly at me.

"Medical results. Financial control. Proof that their investment had worked."

I felt sick.

Children had become investments.

And my wife had tried to save them before someone could take them away.

Claire told me the plan had begun six weeks before her disappearance.

She had already discovered irregularities in the Mercer Family Trust.

She knew money was being transferred through Northbridge Holdings.

She suspected that Ashcroft House was connected to a secret medical program.

But she didn't understand the full extent of it until Vanessa brought Sophie to the mansion.

"Why would Vanessa bring her there?" I asked.

"She said Sophie needed a temporary place to stay."

"Did you believe her?"

"At first."

Claire looked down.

"Sophie was frightened. She barely spoke. She kept asking whether someone was coming to take her back."

I remembered the photographs.

The little girl in the yellow sweater.

The child who hated locked doors.

"Did you know she was connected to Lily?"

Claire shook her head.

"Not immediately."

"What changed?"

"She saw Lily."

I leaned forward.

"What happened?"

Claire's expression softened.

"They stared at each other."

I felt my chest tighten.

"Because they looked alike?"

"Yes."

She smiled faintly through her tears.

"Then Lily asked whether Sophie wanted to play."

I could imagine it.

My daughter had always been fearless about making friends.

She would approach a stranger on a playground and invite them to build a castle before learning their name.

"What did Sophie do?"

"She started crying."

"Why?"

"She said she had dreamed about a girl who looked like her."

I stared at Claire.

"Did she know they were related?"

"I don't think so."

Claire took a slow breath.

"But Vanessa became very upset when she found them together."

My stomach tightened.

"What did she do?"

"She separated them immediately."

"Why?"

"She said Sophie wasn't supposed to meet Lily."

I remembered Emily's warning.

The girls were never supposed to meet.

Now I understood why those words had haunted Claire.

The resemblance between the children threatened to expose the entire program.

"How did you learn about the guardianship arrangement?" I asked.

Claire wiped her eyes.

"Evelyn."

I froze.

"Evelyn Shaw?"

She nodded.

"She contacted me privately."

I stared at her.

"The same woman who authorized the neonatal placements?"

"Yes."

"Why would she help you?"

Claire hesitated.

"Because she was afraid."

"Of Marcus?"

"Yes."

I folded my arms.

"Evelyn helped create Meridian."

"I know."

"She signed the documents."

"I know."

"Then why would she suddenly want to rescue the children?"

Claire looked away.

"She said Marcus had changed the agreement."

My pulse accelerated.

"What agreement?"

"The original arrangement was supposed to provide long-term medical care and financial protection."

I felt anger rise.

"By separating children from their families?"

Claire lowered her eyes.

"That's how Evelyn described it. I didn't believe the arrangement was justified."

I took a breath.

"Continue."

"Marcus had begun moving assets into new companies. Evelyn said he was preparing to assume control of the children's legal affairs."

"Phase Four."

Claire nodded.

"Yes."

I stared at her.

"And you agreed to become Sophie's guardian?"

"Temporarily."

"Why?"

"Because Evelyn said Sophie had no safe legal representative."

I looked away.

My wife had been trying to rescue a child who might have been biologically mine.

And she had done it without knowing the full truth about the girl's birth.

"Did you sign the documents?"

Claire hesitated.

"Some."

My stomach tightened.

"Which ones?"

"An emergency guardianship petition. A statement describing the risks to Sophie."

"Anything else?"

"I don't remember signing anything involving the trust."

I studied her.

"Marcus had copies."

"Then he may have altered them."

I thought about Emily Vale impersonating Claire.

The notarized declarations.

The forged signatures.

The financial transfers.

Someone had been preparing to use Claire's identity long before her captivity.

At noon, Detective Harris arrived.

I told him what Claire had revealed.

He listened carefully.

Then he asked her a question that made me pause.

"Mrs. Mercer, why didn't you contact law enforcement?"

Claire looked down.

"I tried."

Harris leaned forward.

"When?"

"About a month before I disappeared."

"Who did you contact?"

"A detective."

"What was his name?"

She hesitated.

"Robert something."

I frowned.

"Robert?"

Claire closed her eyes.

"Robert Kane."

Harris went still.

For the first time since I had met him, his expression changed dramatically.

"Are you certain?"

Claire nodded.

"Yes."

Harris looked toward Detective Grant.

She immediately opened her laptop.

I felt a chill.

"Who is Robert Kane?"

Harris took a slow breath.

"He was a detective assigned to financial crimes."

"Was?"

"He resigned three years ago."

"Why?"

Harris hesitated.

"An internal investigation."

I stared at him.

"What kind?"

"Allegations of misconduct involving confidential information."

My stomach tightened.

"Did he work with Marcus?"

"We're checking."

Claire looked frightened.

"He told me not to put anything in writing."

Harris turned toward her.

"What else?"

"He said he could help me move the children."

My pulse accelerated.

"Did you believe him?"

Claire nodded.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because he knew about Meridian."

Harris leaned forward.

"Did you give him documents?"

Claire hesitated.

"Copies."

"What documents?"

"Financial records. Photographs. Some of the medical files."

Harris exchanged a glance with Grant.

I felt my stomach tighten.

"Detective, what is it?"

Harris looked at me.

"Robert Kane was investigated after confidential evidence disappeared from several cases."

I stared at Claire.

Someone had known she was trying to expose Meridian.

Someone had known she intended to take Lily and Sophie away.

And that person might have been the one who warned Marcus.

At two thirty, Harris called with another development.

"We located Robert Kane."

I stood.

"Where?"

"At a private security company."

"Does he work there?"

"He's one of the directors."

My pulse quickened.

"Who owns it?"

Harris hesitated.

"Northbridge-linked investors."

I closed my eyes.

Of course.

The same financial network.

The same people.

The same carefully concealed relationships.

"Did he admit meeting Claire?"

"Not yet."

"Can you question him?"

"We're arranging that."

I rubbed my forehead.

"Detective, if Kane was working for Marcus, then Claire's escape plan was compromised from the beginning."

"That's possible."

I looked toward her room.

She was sleeping.

I thought about the courage it must have taken to plan an escape while surrounded by people she couldn't trust.

And I thought about how completely she had been betrayed.

"There's something else," Harris said.

My pulse quickened.

"What?"

"Kane's company provided security services to Ashcroft House."

I froze.

"When?"

"For several years."

"Did they provide guards?"

"Yes."

"Transportation?"

"Yes."

"Surveillance?"

"According to the contracts."

I stared at the wall.

The photographs of Lily.

The vehicles outside the school.

The attempted access to her hotel floor.

The anonymous messages.

Someone had a professional surveillance network.

And Marcus had access to it.

At four, I visited Richard.

He was sitting beside a window, his cane resting against the chair.

When I entered, he looked tired.

"Daniel."

I remained standing.

"Did you know Claire was planning to take Lily and Sophie away?"

His expression changed.

"What?"

"Before she disappeared."

Richard looked down.

"No."

"Did Marcus tell you?"

"No."

"Did Eleanor?"

He hesitated.

"Not until later."

I stared at him.

"Then you knew eventually."

Richard nodded.

"Yes."

"When?"

"Several months after Claire disappeared."

My stomach tightened.

"And you didn't tell me?"

He closed his eyes.

"I was told she was safe."

I laughed bitterly.

"Safe?"

"Daniel—"

"She was locked behind a steel door."

"I know that now."

I stepped closer.

"Did you visit her?"

Richard hesitated.

"Yes."

My heart stopped.

"When?"

"Three days after she disappeared."

I stared at him.

"Claire told me."

He lowered his eyes.

"I tried to get her released."

"Then why didn't you?"

Richard's voice trembled.

"Because Marcus threatened the children."

I felt sick.

"Everyone says that."

"Because it's true."

I leaned forward.

"Then why didn't you go to the police?"

Richard looked away.

"Because Marcus had evidence of my involvement in Meridian."

I stared at him.

"So you protected yourself."

Richard closed his eyes.

"Yes."

The admission was quiet.

But it carried the weight of eighteen months.

My father had known Claire was alive.

He had known where she was.

And he had allowed her captivity to continue because he feared exposure.

I turned toward the door.

"Daniel."

I stopped.

Richard's voice broke.

"I know you may never forgive me."

I looked back.

"You're right."

At six, I returned to Claire.

She was sitting beside the window, looking at a drawing Lily had made.

I sat beside her.

"Claire, I need to ask you about the night you disappeared."

She nodded.

"All right."

"You were planning to leave with both girls."

"Yes."

"Where were they?"

"Lily was upstairs."

"And Sophie?"

"In the west wing."

My pulse quickened.

"The blue bedroom?"

Claire nodded.

"Yes."

"Did Vanessa know?"

"She knew Sophie was there."

"Did she know you planned to take her?"

Claire hesitated.

"I thought she was helping."

I stared at her.

"What?"

"Vanessa told me she wanted to get Sophie away from Marcus."

My stomach tightened.

"She was part of the escape plan?"

Claire nodded.

"At first."

I leaned forward.

"What happened?"

"She changed her mind."

"Why?"

Claire's eyes filled with tears.

"Marcus called her."

I felt sick.

"When?"

"Just before we were supposed to leave."

I took her hand.

"What did he say?"

"I don't know. Vanessa went into the hallway."

"And when she returned?"

"She looked terrified."

I stared at Claire.

"What happened next?"

"She told me the plan was canceled."

"Did you agree?"

Claire shook her head.

"No."

"What did you do?"

"I went to get Sophie."

My pulse accelerated.

"Where was Lily?"

"Sleeping."

"Did you wake her?"

"No."

"Why?"

Claire began crying.

"Because I thought I could get Sophie first."

I closed my eyes.

The plan had already begun to collapse.

"Did you reach Sophie?"

Claire nodded.

"Yes."

"What happened?"

"I carried her toward the service passage."

My heart hammered.

"The passage between the rooms?"

"Yes."

"Then?"

Claire looked away.

"Vanessa stopped me."

I felt a chill.

"What did she do?"

"She took Sophie."

I stared at her.

"And you?"

Claire's voice broke.

"She told me to go into the secure room."

"Why would you?"

"She said Sophie was inside."

I closed my eyes.

The trap.

Vanessa had used Claire's concern for the child to lure her into the chamber.

"Then she locked the door."

Claire nodded.

"Yes."

I held her hand.

For several minutes, neither of us spoke.

Then she whispered, "Dan, there's something I never told you."

I looked up.

"What?"

"Before Vanessa closed the door, I heard Sophie scream."

My chest tightened.

"What did she say?"

Claire began trembling.

"She called for her mother."

I swallowed.

"Did she call your name?"

Claire shook her head.

"No."

"Then whose?"

She looked at me.

"She called for Natalie."

At eight fifteen, Harris called with news about Robert Kane.

"We questioned him."

I stood.

"And?"

"He admits meeting Claire."

My pulse quickened.

"Did he tell Marcus about the escape plan?"

"He denies it."

"Do you believe him?"

"We're checking his communications."

I rubbed my forehead.

"What else?"

"He says Claire gave him a file."

My heart accelerated.

"What file?"

"Evidence concerning Meridian."

"Does he still have it?"

"He claims he returned it."

"To whom?"

Harris hesitated.

"Vanessa."

I closed my eyes.

Of course.

The woman who had betrayed Claire.

The woman who had controlled access to the hidden room.

The woman who had been protecting Marcus.

"Did Kane know Claire was imprisoned?"

"He claims he didn't."

I stared at the wall.

"Then why didn't he investigate her disappearance?"

Harris paused.

"That's what we asked."

"What did he say?"

"He says he was told Claire had left the country."

I laughed bitterly.

"The same story everyone believed."

"Yes."

I looked toward Claire's room.

Then Harris said, "Daniel, Kane provided one useful detail."

My pulse quickened.

"What?"

"He says the file contained a photograph of Sophie with a woman."

"Natalie?"

"Possibly."

"Where was it taken?"

"Ashcroft House."

I felt a chill.

"What did the woman look like?"

Harris hesitated.

"Dark blonde hair. Crescent-moon necklace."

I closed my eyes.

Natalie.

Emily.

The woman who had impersonated Claire.

The woman who might be Lily's biological mother.

And the woman Sophie had called for when Vanessa took her away.

At ten thirty, I received another anonymous message.

A video.

I opened it.

Sophie sat on a wooden chair in a dim room.

Her blonde hair was tangled.

She looked frightened.

Beside her stood Olivia Cross.

The teenager held Sophie's hand.

Both girls stared at the camera.

A man's voice spoke from behind it.

"Tell him what you know."

Olivia looked down.

The man repeated, "Tell Daniel."

Olivia swallowed.

"Please don't hurt her."

My heart stopped.

The man said nothing.

Olivia looked toward the camera.

"Daniel, Sophie is alive."

I felt tears fill my eyes.

"She's with me."

Olivia's voice trembled.

"But they want us to leave."

I leaned closer.

"Where?" I whispered.

The man behind the camera spoke again.

"Tell him about the file."

Olivia closed her eyes.

Then she said, "The Riverside file isn't the only copy."

My pulse accelerated.

"There's another one."

I froze.

"Where?"

Olivia looked frightened.

"Claire has it."

I stared at the screen.

My wife?

Olivia continued.

"She hid it before they locked her inside."

My heart hammered.

"Where?"

The man behind the camera remained silent.

Olivia looked directly into the lens.

"Inside Lily's rabbit."

I stopped breathing.

Bunny.

The stuffed rabbit Lily carried everywhere.

The toy she had lost in the storage room.

The reason she had entered the east wing.

The reason she heard Claire knocking.

The reason our family had been reunited.

I stared at the screen.

Then Olivia whispered, "They know where Lily is."

My blood ran cold.

The man behind the camera spoke.

"Tell him what happens next."

Olivia began crying.

"Daniel, they're coming for Bunny."

The video ended.

I immediately called Margaret.

She answered after three rings.

"Mr. Daniel?"

"Where is Lily?"

"She's asleep."

"Is Bunny with her?"

A pause.

"Yes."

I closed my eyes.

"Margaret, listen carefully. Don't let anyone take that rabbit."

"Why?"

"Just keep it with Lily."

Her voice became frightened.

"Mr. Daniel, something happened earlier."

My heart stopped.

"What?"

"A woman came to the hotel."

I gripped the phone.

"What woman?"

"She said she was from the hospital."

My stomach tightened.

"What did she want?"

"She asked to collect some of Lily's belongings."

I felt sick.

"Did you give her anything?"

"No."

Relief washed through me.

Then Margaret continued.

"But she left something."

I froze.

"What?"

"A note."

My pulse quickened.

"What did it say?"

Margaret hesitated.

Then she read it aloud.

"Tell Daniel the rabbit belongs to Sophie."

I stopped breathing.

Another message.

Another manipulation.

Then Margaret whispered, "Mr. Daniel, there's something else."

"What?"

"The woman looked like Mrs. Claire."

My blood ran cold.

Emily Vale.

Natalie Cross.

The woman who had impersonated my wife.

She had found Lily's hotel.

And she was looking for Bunny.

I called Harris immediately.

But before he answered, another message appeared on my phone.

A photograph.

Bunny.

Lying on a table.

Its stitched belly had been cut open.

Inside was a small black object.

A memory card.

Beneath the photograph were six words.

"We found what Claire was hiding."