Chapter 13: The Girl in Wren's Classroom
Julian pressed the phone against his ear.
"Principal Bennett, lock the school down.""
"What is happening?""
"Do not let that woman leave with the child.""
"But her court papers—"
"They're forged.""
Across the hospital room, Hayes was already calling local police.
Julian heard another scream through the phone.
Then Principal Bennett shouted, "Step away from her!""
The connection died.
"Wren is supposed to be with officers," Hayes said.
Julian called Marcus.
No answer.
Again.
Nothing.
His hands began shaking.
"Where is my daughter?""
Adrian stepped forward.
"Eleanor switched her.""
Julian turned on him.
"What?""
"That's how she works.""
"Explain.""
"She creates confusion before she moves.""
Julian grabbed Adrian's shirt.
"WHO IS IN THAT CLASSROOM?""
"I don't know!""
Hayes pulled Julian back.
Adrian pointed toward Catherine.
"Ask her.""
Catherine was crying.
"Eleanor used children before.""
"What does that mean?"" Julian demanded.
"Blackwood.""
Catherine struggled for breath.
"There were children without families. Children whose records could be changed.""
Julian felt sick.
"She used them as substitutes?""
"When she needed paperwork to show someone was somewhere they weren't.""
Julian looked at Hayes.
"If Eleanor put another child in Wren's uniform—"
"Then she wanted us looking at the school.""
Julian's phone rang.
Marcus.
"Where is Wren?""
"Sir, she's with me.""
Julian nearly collapsed.
"Where?""
"Safe room at the mansion.""
"Put her on.""
A moment later:
"Daddy?""
Julian closed his eyes.
"Wren.""
"I'm okay.""
"Don't leave Marcus.""
"I won't.""
"Promise me.""
"I promise.""
Julian opened his eyes.
"Sweetheart, did anyone tell you to go to school?""
"No.""
Then Wren paused.
"But a lady called.""
"What lady?""
"She said she was Principal Bennett.""
Julian looked at Hayes.
"What did she want?""
"She asked where I kept Grandma Margaret's bracelet.""
Julian frowned.
"What bracelet?""
"The one in my memory box.""
Julian had never seen it.
"Where did you get it?""
"Grandpa Thomas left it for me.""
The room became silent.
"When?""
"Mom gave it to me before she died.""
Julian's chest tightened.
Wren's biological mother, Evelyn, had died when Wren was four.
"Did she say why?""
"She said Grandpa wanted me to have something from my real grandmother.""
Richard stepped closer.
"Margaret had a bracelet.""
Julian looked at him.
"What kind?""
"Silver. Small heart-shaped locket.""
Wren continued through the phone.
"Mine has a heart.""
Richard's face drained.
"Julian.""
"What?""
"The locket wasn't jewelry.""
Julian's pulse jumped.
"What was it?""
"A storage key.""
Hayes lowered her phone.
"Police have secured the school. Eleanor escaped through a service exit.""
"And the girl?""
"Safe.""
"Who is she?""
"They don't know yet.""
Julian returned to Wren.
"Sweetheart, where is the bracelet?""
"In my memory box.""
"Don't touch it.""
"Okay.""
"We're coming home.""
Adrian stepped toward the door.
Hayes blocked him.
"You're not going anywhere.""
"If Eleanor knows about the key, she's going to that mansion.""
"You're under arrest.""
"I can help.""
"You kidnapped a child.""
Adrian looked at Julian.
"I made unforgivable choices. But if Eleanor gets that key, she destroys the last evidence.""
Julian stared at him.
"You expect me to trust you?""
"No.""
Adrian's voice softened.
"I expect you to protect Wren.""
That was the only argument Julian couldn't ignore.
Hayes handcuffed Adrian anyway.
"You can help from custody.""
They drove toward the mansion.
Halfway there, Marcus called.
"Sir.""
Julian immediately knew.
Something was wrong.
"What?""
"The power just went out.""
"Backup generator?""
"Not responding.""
"Get Wren out.""
"We're moving now.""
Then Julian heard glass break.
Marcus shouted.
The line went dead.
"Marcus!""
Nothing.
Julian's driver accelerated.
When they reached the estate, smoke was rising from the west wing.
Julian jumped from the car.
Hayes shouted after him.
He ran inside.
"Wren!""
Smoke filled the hallway.
An alarm screamed.
Julian reached the safe-room corridor.
Marcus lay against the wall, bleeding from his forehead.
"Where is she?""
Marcus pointed.
"Study.""
Julian ran.
The hidden staircase stood open.
He descended.
"Wren!""
A small voice answered.
"Daddy!""
He found her beneath Thomas's desk.
Julian dropped to his knees.
She threw herself into his arms.
"She came.""
"Who?""
"The silver-haired lady.""
"Where did she go?""
Wren pointed toward the hidden vault.
"She wanted my bracelet.""
"Did she get it?""
Wren shook her head.
"I lied.""
Despite everything, Julian almost smiled.
"What did you tell her?""
"That Corinne took it.""
Julian hugged her.
"You are never supposed to face someone like that alone.""
"I know.""
Footsteps sounded behind them.
Julian turned.
Eleanor stood at the bottom of the stairs.
A pistol in one hand.
Corinne in front of her.
The gun pressed against Corinne's neck.
"Nobody move.""
Julian slowly stood, keeping Wren behind him.
Eleanor smiled.
"My beautiful boy.""
"Don't call me that.""
Her smile faded.
"Give me the key.""
"No.""
Eleanor pushed the gun harder against Corinne.
Corinne cried out.
Julian didn't move.
"You think I'll sacrifice Wren's safety to save her?""
Corinne closed her eyes.
She knew the answer.
Eleanor's expression hardened.
"Then perhaps Wren herself will convince you.""
She pointed the gun past Corinne.
Directly at Julian's daughter.
"Bracelet.""
Wren clutched Julian's jacket.
Then another voice came from the stairs.
"Mother.""
Eleanor froze.
Adrian stood there.
Still handcuffed.
Hayes behind him.
Adrian stared at the woman who had controlled his entire life.
"It's over.""
Eleanor laughed.
"You've said that before.""
Adrian's eyes filled with tears.
"Not like this.""
He lifted his cuffed hands.
Because hanging between them was a tiny silver bracelet.
Wren gasped.
"My bracelet!""
Eleanor's face changed.
Adrian smiled sadly.
May you like
"You were looking in the wrong place.""
And before anyone could stop him, he threw the bracelet into the open furnace.
