Chapter 6 - The Brother Who Disappeared
Nathan had not seen Philip since their father’s funeral.
They had stood on opposite sides of the cemetery while rain soaked the grass between them. Nathan blamed Philip for missing Claire’s final months. Philip accused Nathan of using grief as an excuse to condemn everyone who had failed to save her.
Neither had called the other again.
Now Philip stood outside the gate while Marcus’s men remained near the damaged entrance.
Philip walked toward the camera slowly.
Marcus turned to face him.
Even without sound, the argument was obvious.
Marcus pointed toward the house.
Philip shook his head.
One of Marcus’s men grabbed Philip’s arm. Philip pulled free and held up a folder.
Marcus stopped moving.
“What is he carrying?” Rosa asked.
Nathan increased the camera magnification.
The folder bore the logo of Kane Medical Systems.
Philip removed several pages and let Marcus see them. Then he pointed toward the eastern side of the property.
Marcus followed his gesture.
A moment later, Marcus and two men moved away from the gate, heading toward the service road.
“He’s distracting them,” Nathan said.
Philip looked directly into the camera and tapped his phone.
Nathan’s phone rang as the signal briefly returned.
He answered.
“Do not say my name,” Philip said immediately.
“Why are you here?”
“Because Marcus ordered me to retrieve the documents.”
“And you decided not to?”
“I decided that three children matter more than my contract.”
“Why should I believe you?”
“You shouldn’t. But you should listen.”
Nathan watched Philip on the screen.
“Marcus has access to St. Catherine’s security network,” Philip continued. “He knows the deputies are trying to reach you. His people created two false road emergencies to delay them.”
“Can you clear the roads?”
“I sent the real coordinates to the county sheriff. But you have another problem.”
“They’re already inside the basement.”
“I know. Those men are not supposed to harm the children, but they were told to destroy every document in the house.”
“What does the missing page contain?”
Philip hesitated.
“Philip.”
“It contains a list of children.”
“What children?”
“Infants enrolled in a private neonatal development program.”
Rosa heard the words and stepped closer.
“What kind of program?”
Philip lowered his voice.
“Marcus’s company developed an experimental monitoring implant. It was rejected for standard use after early complications. Instead of ending the project, they moved the trials into charitable hospitals.”
Nathan felt anger rise through his chest.
“Without proper authorization?”
“Parents signed consent forms, but many were misled about the nature of the device.”
“And Eva and Noah?”
“I don’t know.”
“You signed the statement.”
“I witnessed Marcus’s signature. I did not know about the children then.”
“What did you think you were witnessing?”
“Financial restructuring.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“No. I expect you to remember that I came here.”
A burst of static interrupted the call.
Philip looked over his shoulder.
Marcus was returning.
“Listen,” Philip said quickly. “The evidence in the coat is incomplete. The key opens a deposit box inside the hospital archives. Claire created it.”
Nathan’s grip tightened around the phone.
“You knew Claire was involved?”
“I knew after she died.”
“What is inside the box?”
“I never opened it.”
“Why not?”
“Because Claire left instructions.”
“What instructions?”
Philip looked into the camera.
“The box could only be opened by you and Rosa together.”
The call disconnected.
Marcus approached Philip and struck the phone from his hand.
Nathan moved toward the gate control.
Rosa stopped him.
“You cannot open it.”
“He helped us.”
“He may be lying.”
“He may also be the reason Marcus’s men haven’t reached this floor.”
Another impact sounded below.
The metal barrier began to bend.
Lily looked toward the hallway.
“They found another way in.”
“How do you know?” Nathan asked.
She pointed upward.
May you like
The sound was no longer coming from the basement.
It was coming from inside the walls.
