Chapter 14 - Locker 317
Vivian had found the key beneath the nursery window.
The intruder had dropped it while escaping.
Or left it deliberately.
Nobody knew.
Police objected to them going to Hawthorne Central.
Ethan's attorney objected louder.
Audrey went anyway.
This time, two detectives followed.
The old railway storage building stood behind a row of abandoned platforms.
Rain had begun.
Audrey found that fitting.
Michael had died in rain.
The building smelled of concrete and rust.
Rows of metal lockers stretched under flickering lights.
The key bore one number.
317.
They found it at the far end.
Audrey inserted the key.
It turned.
Inside was a steel case with a combination lock.
Celeste entered 0714.
Nothing happened.
"Wrong?" Ethan asked.
Celeste tried again.
714.
Click.
The case opened.
Inside were four items.
A cassette tape.
A hospital bracelet.
A photograph.
A sealed letter addressed to Audrey.
Audrey reached for the hospital bracelet first.
BABY GIRL.
No surname.
Date of birth matched hers.
She turned it over.
There was a handwritten number.
7713.
One detective photographed everything.
Audrey picked up the photograph.
Thomas stood beside an ambulance.
Much younger.
His shirt was covered in blood.
In his arms was a newborn wrapped in a gray blanket.
Behind him, part of a road sign was visible.
MORROW CREEK.
Audrey had never heard of it.
Celeste had.
Her face changed.
"What?"
Celeste pointed.
"Morrow Creek isn't near Hawthorne."
"Where is it?"
"Two counties north."
Marianne whispered, "No."
Audrey turned.
"You know it too."
Marianne sat on the bench.
"There was a clinic."
"What clinic?"
Marianne looked at the photograph.
"Private."
"For what?"
"Pregnancies."
Audrey waited.
Marianne swallowed.
"Women from wealthy families went there when they didn't want records."
Ethan's jaw tightened.
"How do you know?"
"Because my family donated money."
Audrey looked at the cassette.
The detective produced an evidence recorder capable of playing old tapes through an adapter.
Thomas's voice filled the empty storage room.
The recording crackled.
"If Eleanor is hearing this, something has gone wrong."
Audrey stopped breathing.
Thomas continued.
"The baby is alive. The mother is alive when I leave her, but she refuses to give me her name."
Everyone listened.
"She says people are coming."
A pause.
Rain hammered the roof.
"She gave me the child and told me one thing."
The tape hissed.
Thomas's next words came clearly.
"Do not take her to a hospital."
Audrey covered her mouth.
Thomas continued.
"I took the baby to Lisa because she can protect her through St. Catherine's. Marianne cannot know where she came from. Robert cannot know either."
Robert.
The room became very still.
"I made a mistake trusting my brother. If anything happens to me, assume Robert told them."
Audrey looked at Ethan.
Thomas continued.
"The child's mother had this letter. She said Audrey would understand someday."
A sound on the tape.
Then Thomas's voice lowered.
"I don't know who this baby belongs to. I only know someone tried to kill her mother before she was born."
The recording ended.
Nobody moved.
Audrey picked up the sealed letter.
Her name was written on the front.
Not Audrey Hayes.
Not Audrey Bennett.
Just Audrey.
She opened it.
Inside was a single page.
My daughter,
If you are reading this, then Thomas kept his promise.
I am sorry I could not keep you.
I am sorry your first days began in fear.
The people looking for me believed you died that night. You must allow them to keep believing it.
Lisa will give you a life I cannot.
Eleanor will protect the truth.
Thomas will protect both of you.
Never search for me unless someone named Daniel Vale contacts you.
If he does, run.
Do not ask questions.
Do not trust him.
And never let him know you survived.
There was no signature.
Audrey read the name again.
Daniel Vale.
Ethan asked, "Who is that?"
Nobody answered.
Then one of the detectives' phones rang.
He stepped away.
Thirty seconds later, he returned.
His face was different.
"Mrs. Cole?"
Audrey looked at him.
"We found Dr. Shaw."
"Is she alive?"
"Yes."
Audrey exhaled.
"Where?"
"Mercy Hospital."
"What happened?"
"She was in a car accident."
"Can she talk?"
"Apparently she has been asking for you."
Audrey folded the letter.
They drove straight to the hospital.
Dr. Evelyn Shaw looked fragile beneath white blankets.
Her left arm was bandaged.
A bruise crossed her forehead.
Audrey entered alone.
Evelyn stared at her.
Then began crying.
"You look like her."
Audrey's heart stopped.
"My mother?"
Evelyn nodded.
"You knew her?"
"Yes."
"What was her name?"
Evelyn reached for Audrey's hand.
"Before I tell you, you need to know why Thomas lied."
"About being my father?"
"Yes."
Audrey sat.
Evelyn's voice became barely audible.
"Thomas put his name on the certificate because your real father was dangerous."
Audrey remembered the letter.
Daniel Vale.
"Was my father Daniel Vale?"
Evelyn's eyes widened.
"Who told you that name?"
Audrey showed her the letter.
Evelyn stared at it.
Then pressed the nurse-call button.
"What are you doing?"
"We need security."
"Why?"
Evelyn looked toward the door.
"Because Daniel Vale isn't your father."
Audrey felt cold.
"Then who is he?"
May you like
Evelyn whispered.
"The man your mother was running from."
