Chapter 10: Ten Million Dollars and a Dead Man's Name
The message on Marcus's phone made no sense.
Your mother is waiting. Come alone, or the third child dies.
I read it again.
Then a third time.
"Who sent this?"" I demanded.
Marcus shook his head.
"The transaction came through a private account registered to Richard Callaway's estate. But the authorization originated from a device inside Willow Creek.""
Nathaniel grabbed the phone.
"Shut down every account connected to my father's estate.""
"Sir, I've already contacted the bank.""
"Then contact them again!""
Thomas stepped closer.
"Don't shut anything down.""
Nathaniel turned.
"Are you insane? Someone is threatening my sister.""
"That's exactly why you shouldn't interfere.""
Thomas pointed at the screen.
"That money isn't a threat. It's bait.""
I looked at him.
"Bait for whom?""
"For Grace.""
My stomach tightened.
Thomas explained that Richard had created several private accounts decades earlier. They were designed to release money automatically when certain conditions were met.
One of those conditions involved Grace Carter.
"If Grace is alive," Thomas said, "someone could use her identity to access the accounts.""
Nathaniel frowned.
"Who has access to them?""
Thomas looked toward the hospital room.
"Three people. Richard. James. And Margaret.""
We all turned toward the glass.
Margaret was still surrounded by medical staff.
"Then someone stole Margaret's credentials," I said.
Thomas nodded.
"Or someone wants us to believe she's dead.""
Dr. Harris emerged from the room.
"She's stable for now, but she's suffered another neurological episode. She needs rest.""
Nathaniel approached him.
"Can she speak?""
"Not immediately.""
I looked at Thomas.
"We're going to Willow Creek.""
Nathaniel shook his head.
"Absolutely not.""
"That's where my mother is.""
"It's also where someone just threatened your life.""
"Then I'll go with security.""
"Rose, you're not going anywhere alone.""
I stepped closer.
"You're not my father, Nathaniel.""
The words hurt him.
I could see it.
But I couldn't take them back.
He lowered his voice.
"No. I'm your brother. And I'm trying not to lose you before I've even had the chance to know you.""
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then he nodded.
"Fine. We go together.""
Two armored SUVs left the medical center twenty minutes later.
Willow Creek stood outside Philadelphia, hidden behind a line of old oak trees. The facility looked more like a private estate than a medical center.
White stone walls.
Beautiful gardens.
A fountain near the entrance.
And armed security guards.
Marcus approached the reception desk.
"We're here to see Grace Carter.""
The receptionist checked her computer.
"I'm sorry. There's no patient by that name.""
I placed the photograph of my mother on the counter.
"She's been here under another identity.""
The receptionist looked at the picture.
Her face changed.
"I'll need to speak with the director.""
Before she could move, a man in a dark suit appeared behind her.
"Mr. Callaway.""
Nathaniel turned.
"Who are you?""
"Dr. Vincent Hale. I'm the director of this facility.""
"We're here for Grace Carter.""
The doctor's expression remained calm.
"I'm afraid I can't discuss patient information.""
Nathaniel placed a document on the desk.
"This is a court-authorized request for medical records.""
Dr. Hale examined it.
Then he smiled faintly.
"Interesting.""
"What?""
"Mrs. Carter was discharged this morning.""
My heart stopped.
"Discharged? Where did she go?""
"Her legal guardian collected her.""
"Who?""
The doctor looked directly at Nathaniel.
"Mr. James Mercer.""
Thomas grabbed the edge of the counter.
"James was here?""
"Yes.""
"When?""
"Approximately four hours ago.""
I felt tears forming.
My mother had been alive.
She had been here.
And we had missed her by four hours.
"Where did he take her?"" I demanded.
Dr. Hale shook his head.
"I don't know.""
Nathaniel leaned forward.
"You're going to tell us everything.""
The doctor's smile disappeared.
"Mr. Callaway, your father was a generous benefactor to this institution. I suggest you leave before you create an unfortunate situation.""
Nathaniel stared at him.
"My father is dead.""
"Is he?""
The question silenced everyone.
Marcus immediately stepped forward.
"Sir, we should secure the building.""
But Dr. Hale had already reached for his phone.
A moment later, two security guards appeared at the end of the hallway.
Thomas grabbed my arm.
"Rose, we need to go.""
"Not without my mother!""
He pulled me toward the entrance.
"She's not here!""
As we reached the parking area, my phone buzzed.
A photograph appeared.
It showed my mother sitting in the passenger seat of an old blue car.
She looked older.
Her hair was silver.
But she was unmistakably Grace Carter.
Beneath the photograph was a message.
Your mother wants to see you. Come to the Mercer estate. Bring the original photograph.
I stared at the screen.
Nathaniel looked over my shoulder.
"That's a trap.""
I looked at him.
"Maybe. But it's the first proof I've had that she's alive.""
Thomas took the phone from my hand.
His face had turned pale.
"Where did you get this photograph?""
"Someone sent it.""
Thomas examined the background.
Then he whispered:
"That's not the Mercer estate.""
"What is it?""
He looked toward the road.
"It's Richard Callaway's old house.""
The house where my mother had worked.
The house where everything began.
Then Thomas noticed something in the corner of the photograph.
A newspaper lying beside my mother's feet.
The date was tomorrow.
And beneath the newspaper was a man's hand.
A hand wearing a gold wedding ring.
The same ring Nathaniel had inherited from his father.
Nathaniel stared at it.
Then he whispered:
"That's impossible.""
I turned toward him.
"What's impossible?""
May you like
He looked at us.
"My father was wearing that ring when they buried him.""
