Chapter 18 - Saint Orison
Daniel left the hospital before sunrise.
Torres tried to stop him.
He refused.
Reed joined him.
Elizabeth followed.
“You're not going alone,” she said.
Daniel looked at her.
“I don't trust you.”
“You shouldn't.”
“Then why are you coming?”
“Because Claire will kill me if she learns what I know.”
The flight to France was arranged under federal authority.
Marcus remained in custody.
Daniel demanded that he be brought along.
Torres objected.
“He's dangerous.”
Daniel looked at the evidence.
“So is everyone who knows the truth.”
Marcus arrived under heavy guard.
He looked older than Daniel remembered.
“You shouldn't have awakened me,” Marcus said.
Daniel stared.
“What does that mean?”
“You'll understand at Saint Orison.”
Hours later, they reached the abandoned institute.
It stood on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean.
Windows boarded.
Walls covered in vines.
A rusted sign read:
SAINT ORISON RESEARCH INSTITUTE.
Daniel stepped through the entrance.
The building was empty.
Too empty.
Then Lily's voice came through the intercom.
“Dad?”
Daniel stopped.
“Lily?”
Static.
Then her voice again.
“Don't trust Marcus.”
Marcus closed his eyes.
Daniel turned toward him.
“You told me she was being held here.”
“She was.”
“Was?”
Marcus looked toward the underground corridor.
“She isn't anymore.”
A door opened below them.
Inside was a single chair.
And a photograph of Anna.
On the back:
COME ALONE.
Daniel walked toward the stairs.
Marcus grabbed his arm.
“Don't.”
Daniel pulled away.
“She's my wife.”
May you like
Marcus whispered:
“That's exactly what Claire is counting on.”
