CHAPTER 11: THE DAUGHTER THEY NEVER KNEW
Claire couldn’t stop replaying the video.
Lily’s face.
Her voice.
The way she had called Claire Mama.
Adrian stood near the chapel door, staring into the rain.
“They stole our DNA.”
Claire remembered the fertility clinic Evelyn had recommended after she and Adrian had discussed having children.
They had completed tests but never continued treatment.
“My blood.”
“My sample,” Adrian said.
Miriam nodded.
“Evelyn created Lily without telling either of you.”
Claire looked toward the collapsed estate.
“She knew the child existed.”
“She visited Lily every month.”
Adrian closed his eyes.
“My mother had a granddaughter.”
Claire Vale examined the hospital plans.
“The underground levels have four access points.”
Marcus pointed toward the main entrance.
“Hale will control this one.”
Richard placed a finger over the loading docks.
“I built the western wing. There’s a tunnel connected to the river.”
Anna shook her head.
“August will expect Richard to know it.”
Claire looked at her sister.
“Then we enter as patients.”
Claire Vale smiled slightly.
“They won’t know which of us is which.”
The plan was simple enough to sound impossible.
Claire Bennett would enter the hospital publicly under her false identity.
Claire Vale would use the confusion to reach the underground levels.
Richard would contact the press and announce he had found his missing daughter, drawing attention to the hospital.
Adrian would access Whitmore security systems.
Marcus and Miriam would enter through the river tunnel.
Anna refused to go.
“Why?” Claire asked.
“Because August wants me inside.”
“He wants all of us.”
“He needs my genetic authorization to activate the children.”
Claire looked at the document.
“And if you stay here?”
“He may not be able to complete the transfer.”
A sound came from the chapel basement.
Anna turned pale.
There was no basement.
The floor beneath the altar opened.
Special Agent Daniel Mercer emerged with federal officers.
“Richard Vale,” he called. “Everyone step away from the women.”
Richard stared at him.
“How did you find us?”
Mercer held up a phone.
“Commissioner Hale has been arrested. We traced his network.”
Claire studied him.
Mercer’s face appeared trustworthy.
His voice calm.
But Anna was terrified.
“Do not go with him,” she whispered.
Mercer heard.
“Anna, it has been a long time.”
Claire looked between them.
“You know each other?”
Anna backed toward the wall.
“Daniel Mercer died sixteen years ago.”
Mercer smiled.
“That was the previous Daniel.”
Then he raised his gun.
The federal officers moved in perfect synchronization.
Anna whispered one name.
“August.”
Richard looked at Mercer.
“Father?”
May you like
Mercer’s smile widened.
“Hello, son.”
