Chapter 15 - THE LONGEST NIGHT
The IV bag was immediately removed.
Hospital security locked down the unit.
A nurse whose identification badge had been used to access the medication room was found unconscious in a supply closet.
Someone had taken her uniform.
Dana Cross.
The hallway camera confirmed it.
She had entered twenty minutes before Graham appeared in the lobby.
He had never intended to reach Olivia himself.
He had been the distraction.
Doctors worked on Olivia for nearly forty minutes.
Lucy sat in the hallway with Ethan's arms around her.
“Mom.”
“I know.”
“She was okay.”
“I know.”
“Why would someone do this?”
Ethan had no answer an eleven-year-old should have to hear.
Robert sat across from them, his face buried in his hands.
Federal agents searched the hospital.
Dana was gone.
Graham was arrested.
Victoria remained in custody.
But none of that mattered while Olivia's heart fought to keep beating.
Finally, the attending physician approached.
Ethan stood.
Lucy couldn't.
“What happened?”
“We believe something was introduced through the IV line.”
“Is she alive?”
“Yes.”
Lucy covered her face.
The doctor continued.
“She is extremely fragile.”
“Will she wake up?”
“We don't know.”
Ethan nodded.
He hated those three words more every time he heard them.
They were allowed inside one at a time.
Lucy went first.
Ethan watched through the glass.
She held her mother's hand.
Talked.
Cried.
Then laid her forehead against Olivia's arm.
When she came out, Ethan entered.
Olivia looked almost peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Ethan sat beside her.
“For eleven years, you tried to reach me.”
He held her hand.
“So you don't get to stop now.”
No response.
“You still owe me an explanation about that toothbrush.”
Nothing.
“You owe Lucy more pancakes.”
The monitor continued its steady rhythm.
Ethan lowered his head.
“And I owe both of you everything.”
For the first time that night, he cried without trying to hide it.
Minutes later, Mason entered quietly.
“They processed the red box recording.”
Ethan wiped his face.
“Tell me.”
“It confirms the threats.”
“Everything?”
“Graham discussed forcing Olivia to surrender Lucy.”
“And my mother?”
“There is more.”
Ethan looked at him.
“The recording captures Graham telling Robert that Elizabeth's crash was ‘a warning that became permanent.’”
Ethan shut his eyes.
“Enough for murder?”
“Combined with the photographs Graham brought tonight?”
Mason nodded.
“Prosecutors think so.”
Ethan looked toward Olivia.
“Why would Graham bring evidence that incriminates him?”
“Because he expected Olivia to die.”
Mason's voice was quiet.
“And he wanted leverage against Robert before leaving the country.”
Ethan understood.
Graham had still been playing chess.
Even while running.
“What about Dana?”
“They're searching.”
“And Victoria?”
“She has requested to speak with you.”
Ethan stared at him.
“No.”
“She says she has information about Dana.”
“Then she can tell the prosecutor.”
“She refuses.”
“Not my problem.”
Mason hesitated.
“She said Lucy's name.”
Ethan stood.
“What did she say?”
“‘Tell Ethan Dana knows where Lucy sleeps.’”
Ethan's blood ran cold.
Lucy was sitting fifty feet away.
But suddenly every hospital room, hallway, and window felt exposed.
He walked out and found her.
“We're moving you.”
“Where?”
“Somewhere secure.”
“I don't want to leave Mom.”
“You won't be far.”
Lucy saw his expression.
“Is someone coming for me?”
Ethan crouched.
“No one is getting to you.”
“But are they trying?”
He refused to lie.
“Yes.”
Lucy swallowed.
Then nodded.
“Okay.”
Robert stood.
“I know a place.”
Ethan looked at him.
“No.”
“Ethan, listen.”
“No more secrets.”
“It isn't a secret.”
Robert straightened.
“Your mother's cabin.”
Ethan stared.
The Pierce family had not used it in twenty years.
“Graham never knew she owned it.”
“How?”
“It was inherited through her mother's family.”
Mason considered it.
“Remote location.”
“Private road.”
Robert continued.
“No company records connect it to Pierce Industries.”
Ethan hated relying on his father.
But Lucy's safety mattered more than pride.
Within an hour, Lucy was placed under federal protection.
Before leaving, she returned to Olivia's bedside.
She leaned close.
“Mom.”
Her voice shook.
“Dad found me.”
Ethan stood behind her.
Lucy squeezed Olivia's hand.
“So you can wake up now.”
May you like
For one second, nothing happened.
Then Olivia's fingers moved.
