Chapter 13 - A Mother Does Not Choose)
Luke called five minutes later.
Caroline answered with Agent Reed recording.
“You’re sick.”
Luke sounded amused.
“You wanted Elliot.”
“He is your son too.”
“Technically.”
Caroline closed her eyes.
“Technically?”
“He was supposed to be extraordinary.”
“He’s six.”
“He’s weak.”
“You mean kind.”
“He cries.”
“He’s a child.”
“He apologizes to people who lose against him. Arthur spent years trying to correct it.”
Caroline’s hatred became calm.
It was almost peaceful.
“What do you want?”
“You know.”
“My unborn son.”
“Our replacement.”
“He’s not yours anymore.”
Luke laughed.
“Marriage says otherwise.”
“Marriage is ending.”
“You always were dramatic.”
Caroline glanced at Reed.
He was tracing the call.
“Let Elliot go.”
“Come to Lake Rowan.”
“We know about Harbor 6.”
Silence.
Luke had not expected that.
Caroline continued.
“Federal agents are already coming.”
The line disconnected.
Reed immediately began issuing orders.
The tactical team reached Lake Rowan twenty-eight minutes later.
The property appeared abandoned.
No children.
No Luke.
No Arthur.
But blood was found in a hallway.
Not Elliot’s.
Diane’s.
She had been there.
Agents discovered a hidden room containing video equipment.
A recorded file had been left intentionally.
Luke appeared onscreen.
Behind him sat Elliot.
Caroline watched from the hospital command room.
Her son’s hands were tied loosely in front of him.
He looked frightened but uninjured.
Luke leaned toward the camera.
“Caroline, you always wanted choices. Here’s one.”
Caroline’s jaw tightened.
“Your new son for the old one.”
Elliot looked toward Luke.
Luke continued.
“Arthur thinks the replacement has better indicators. I don’t care anymore. I just want what I’m owed.”
The video ended.
Agent Reed swore quietly.
Caroline looked at the frozen image of Elliot.
“He knows he’s losing.”
“Yes.”
“That makes him more dangerous.”
“Yes.”
Caroline stood.
A sharp pain moved through her abdomen.
She stopped.
Dr. Carter rushed forward.
“Sit.”
“I’m fine.”
“You are not.”
Another pain.
Caroline gripped the table.
Sarah watched the monitor.
“Contraction.”
“No.”
Thirty seconds later, another.
Dr. Carter’s expression changed.
“We’re moving you back upstairs.”
“Elliot.”
“Agents are searching.”
“Luke wants the baby.”
“And you may be about to have him.”
Caroline stared at her.
“No.”
But blood appeared on her hospital gown.
Everything accelerated.
Sarah called obstetrics.
Dr. Carter helped Caroline onto a bed.
Caroline grabbed her wrist.
“Don’t let anyone take him.”
“No one will.”
“Promise.”
“I promise.”
As nurses rushed her through the hallway, Caroline’s phone vibrated again.
She managed to look.
A message from an unknown number.
It was not Luke.
Diane.
I HAVE ELLIOT.
Caroline stared.
Another message arrived.
LUKE DOES NOT KNOW.
Then:
I CAN BRING HIM TO YOU.
May you like
A final message appeared.
BUT ARTHUR IS INSIDE YOUR HOSPITAL.
