Chapter 11
The lockdown announcement echoed through the hall.
Code Silver.
Security threat.
Dad lifted Lily from the bassinet and placed her in my arms.
“Do not move from this bed.”
“For once, I agree.”
Sarah pushed a heavy chair against the door.
Outside, footsteps ran.
Shouts.
Then silence.
My phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
A photo appeared.
The hallway outside my room.
Then a message.
Family should stay with family.
I showed Dad.
His face went hard.
Victor.
A second message arrived.
Send out the child, and Thomas lives.
I looked at Dad.
He shook his head.
“No.”
Sarah called Detective Ellis.
No answer.
The doorknob moved.
Once.
Twice.
A man’s voice came through.
“Hospital maintenance.”
Sarah whispered, “No.”
Dad took the IV pole in both hands.
The door opened a crack.
A gloved hand appeared.
Dad swung.
The man shouted.
Sarah slammed the chair into the door.
I pressed Lily to my chest, whispering prayers I had forgotten I knew.
Then gunfire cracked down the hall.
Lily screamed.
I covered her head.
The door burst open.
Detective Ellis rushed in.
“Clear!”
Behind her, officers dragged a man in scrubs onto the floor.
Not Victor.
A hired man.
In his pocket was a syringe.
And a bracelet tag printed with Lily’s name.
The plan was obvious.
Drug me.
Take my baby.
Call it medical transfer.
Dad looked at the man.
Then at the syringe.
His voice was deadly calm.
“Where is Victor?”
May you like
The man smiled through blood.
“Already inside.”
