Chapter 8 - The Baby in Room 604
At 2:06 AM, Michael was finally allowed into the neonatal intensive care unit.
His son looked impossibly small beneath the clear plastic walls of the incubator.
Machines monitored every breath.
Michael stood beside him.
He did not touch the glass.
For the first time in his life, the man who controlled companies, employees, buildings, contracts, and millions of dollars understood that none of it could help him.
The nurse spoke softly.
“He’s stronger than he looks.”
Michael nodded.
“What’s his name?”
Michael looked through the glass.
“We haven’t chosen one.”
The nurse smiled gently.
“Your wife asked us to write Noah.”
Michael looked at her.
“Noah?”
“She said it was her father’s middle name.”
Michael swallowed.
Noah Carter.
He repeated it silently.
Then his phone buzzed.
Thomas.
“We found Jonathan.”
Michael stepped into the hallway.
“Alive?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“A motel near the airport.”
Michael leaned against the wall.
“Bring him here.”
“He refuses.”
“Why?”
“He says someone followed him.”
“Police?”
“He doesn’t trust police.”
Michael thought about Sophia’s warning.
“Then bring him somewhere secure.”
Thomas lowered his voice.
“He asked for Emily.”
Michael looked toward the NICU.
“She can’t leave.”
“He knows.”
“Then what does he want?”
“To speak with her by video.”
Michael returned to Emily’s room.
Sophia was gone.
Police had taken her in for questioning.
Emily was awake.
Michael showed her Jonathan’s message.
She agreed immediately.
Thomas connected the call.
Jonathan appeared on-screen.
His face was bruised.
Emily stared at him.
“Where have you been?”
Jonathan looked exhausted.
“Trying not to die.”
Michael sat beside the bed.
Jonathan noticed him.
“You told him?”
“Some.”
Jonathan sighed.
“Then we’re out of time.”
Michael leaned toward the phone.
“Tell me who Daniel is working for.”
Jonathan shook his head.
“Daniel works for himself.”
“Then who is the third person?”
Jonathan went quiet.
Michael continued.
“The man wearing my coat.”
Jonathan’s eyes shifted.
“You saw that footage?”
“Yes.”
“Then destroy it.”
Michael stared at him.
“Why?”
“Because if they know you saw him, they’ll move faster.”
“Who is he?”
Jonathan looked at Emily.
She whispered.
“Tell us.”
Jonathan closed his eyes.
“I don’t know his name.”
Michael slammed his hand against the chair.
“Stop playing games.”
Jonathan opened his eyes.
“I know his face.”
Michael went still.
“Then describe him.”
“I don’t need to.”
Jonathan stared directly into the camera.
“You know him.”
Michael frowned.
“Who?”
Jonathan hesitated.
“The man wearing your coat is someone you’ve trusted your entire life.”
Michael waited.
Jonathan continued.
“Someone who had access to your house before Sophia did.”
Michael’s throat tightened.
“My father?”
Jonathan looked away.
Michael stood.
“My father died six years ago.”
“I know.”
“Then who?”
Jonathan whispered.
“Your mother.”
Michael stared at the screen.
“That was a man.”
Jonathan nodded.
“Exactly.”
Emily looked confused.
Michael’s phone vibrated.
A message from an unknown number.
A photograph appeared.
It showed Jonathan standing outside his motel room.
The image had been taken seconds earlier.
Beneath it was one sentence.
HE SHOULD HAVE STAYED DEAD.
Jonathan heard a knock.
His face changed.
Michael shouted.
“Jonathan, don’t open the door.”
Another knock.
Jonathan backed away.
Thomas’s voice sounded in the background.
“I’ll check it.”
The video shook.
Emily gripped Michael’s wrist.
May you like
Then a loud crash came through the speaker.
The screen went black.
