Chapter 13 - The Opening of the Vault
The exchange was scheduled for the following night.
August sent instructions through an encrypted channel.
Vivian, Thatcher, and Sabina were to enter the chapel alone.
If police approached within a mile, Eleanor would be moved.
If Vivian refused to open the vault, August would release documents framing her as the architect of illegal human trials.
Daniel opposed every part of the plan.
“It is a trap.”
“Of course it is,” Vivian said.
“Then we do not obey.”
“He has my daughter.”
“We use surveillance and tactical teams.”
“He will detect them.”
“We cannot take Sabina.”
“The vault requires her.”
Daniel looked toward the hospital room where Sabina slept.
“She is eight years old.”
“She does not have to enter the vault. The authorization may work remotely from the chapel scanner.”
“You are making assumptions with her life.”
Vivian closed her eyes.
The accusation hurt because it was true.
She had criticized Thatcher for treating Sabina as an instrument. Now August had constructed a situation in which Vivian might do the same.
When Sabina woke, Vivian explained only that they might have a way to help Ellie.
“Do I have to go to the chapel?” Sabina asked.
“August says yes.”
“Will Dad be there?”
“Yes.”
“Will Beatrix?”
“I don’t know.”
Sabina thought for several seconds.
“I want to help my sister.”
“You are not responsible for saving her.”
“You saved me.”
“That is different. I am your mother.”
Sabina held Vivian’s hand.
“Then you’re Ellie’s mother too.”
The exchange proceeded with hidden safeguards.
Daniel placed tracking fibers in their clothes and positioned officers outside August’s stated perimeter. Harcourt provided satellite surveillance through a private security firm. Dr. Price recorded a full confession naming Thatcher, Beatrix, Gideon, and August.
At eleven thirty, Vivian drove to the chapel with Sabina in the back seat.
Thatcher arrived separately.
He looked exhausted.
For once, there was no perfect suit, polished smile, or waiting photographer.
Inside the chapel, candles illuminated the aisle.
A screen stood before the altar.
August Vale appeared on it.
He was older than the photograph, but the scar near his ear was unmistakable.
“Vivian,” he said. “Alistair’s finest creation.”
“I am not his creation.”
“No. You are his failure.”
Thatcher stepped forward.
“Show us Eleanor.”
The screen changed.
Eleanor sat inside a vehicle. A woman held her shoulder.
Vivian recognized Beatrix.
“Open the vault,” August ordered.
The stone panel moved automatically.
They descended the stairs.
Sabina remained between Vivian and Thatcher.
At the steel door, the scanner illuminated.
PRIMARY HEIR DETECTED
Sabina placed her palm against the glass.
Vivian’s credential activated next.
Thatcher entered a six-digit code.
The door remained closed.
ACCESS DENIED
Thatcher tried again.
“What did you do?” Vivian asked.
“That is the code.”
August’s voice came through a speaker.
“Alistair changed it.”
Thatcher looked toward the camera.
“You said it would work.”
“I believed your grandfather trusted you more than he did.”
Vivian noticed faint writing carved into the stone beside the scanner.
The moon follows the river home.
The lullaby.
Alistair’s song.
Sabina whispered the next line.
“Until the child remembers.”
A new keypad appeared.
Vivian entered the date of Sabina’s birth.
The lock released.
The steel door opened.
Cold air moved through the chamber.
Inside were shelves of research files, sealed sample containers, old recordings, and a central table holding a black case.
August’s voice became unsteady with excitement.
“Take the black case.”
Vivian entered alone.
She opened it.
Inside lay three glass vials and a handwritten notebook.
The first page carried her own name.
VIVIAN ELLIS ASHFORD
BIOLOGICAL SUBJECT ZERO
She turned the page.
There were medical observations beginning on the day of her birth.
Alistair had studied her immune system throughout her childhood without her knowledge.
At the bottom of one page, he had written:
She is not merely resistant. She is the key to reversing the response.
Vivian closed the notebook.
“Release Eleanor.”
“Bring the case outside.”
“Let me speak to her.”
The screen showed Eleanor again.
Vivian stepped toward it.
“Ellie, my name is Vivian.”
The little girl’s eyes filled with tears.
“Are you my mother?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you come before?”
Vivian’s voice broke.
“I didn’t know where you were.”
Beatrix tightened her grip on Eleanor’s shoulder.
August spoke.
“The case.”
Vivian looked at Thatcher.
He moved closer to the vault.
“Give it to him.”
“You knew this research involved me.”
“I knew Alistair collected records.”
“You knew I was experimented on.”
“I knew enough.”
Sabina backed away from him.
“Dad?”
Thatcher reached for the case.
Vivian pulled it away.
A warning alarm sounded.
The vault door began to close.
Thatcher lunged forward and struck Vivian’s shoulder.
The case fell.
One vial shattered against the floor.
A pale mist rose from the liquid.
Sabina screamed.
Vivian pushed her toward the stairs.
“Run!”
Thatcher grabbed the notebook.
The vault door slammed between them.
Vivian and Sabina remained outside.
Thatcher was trapped inside with the broken vial.
Through the reinforced window, he began coughing.
May you like
August’s voice disappeared from the speaker.
The screen showing Eleanor went black.
