Chapter 5 - The Empty Room
Rachel practically flew out the front door and sprinted toward her parked car.
Grant followed closely behind her, securely hiding the handgun inside his jacket pocket.
They broke every single speed limit driving to Rachel's sister's suburban house.
Rachel completely ignored the blaring police sirens in the distance and slammed the brakes in the driveway.
The front door of the house was kicked wide open, its wooden frame totally splintered.
Rachel screamed Maddie's name and rushed recklessly into the chaotic hallway.
Her sister was sitting on the living room floor, pressing a bloody towel to her bruised forehead.
"I am so sorry, Rachel, they were just too strong," her sister sobbed uncontrollably.
"Who took my baby?" Rachel demanded, dropping to her knees in pure panic.
"Two men in black suits injected me with something, and then they carried her out to a dark van," her sister explained weakly.
Grant paced the living room fiercely, checking the broken windows for any remaining threats.
"Vale took her," Grant said with absolute, terrifying certainty.
Rachel felt her entire world collapse into a dark, suffocating abyss of fear.
She had fought so incredibly hard to protect her daughter, only to lose her to a madman.
"Why would he suddenly take her now after completely ignoring her for five years?" Rachel cried.
Grant pulled a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to her.
"Because the genetic alert at the clinic notified his private security network that you finally knew the truth," he explained.
Rachel stared at the paper, which contained a secure encrypted phone number.
"We have to call him and offer him whatever he wants," she said desperately.
Grant dialed the number and put the phone on speaker for them both to hear.
May you like
A cold, incredibly calm voice answered on the second ring.
"If you want to see the child alive again, you will bring me the original clinic files tonight," the voice demanded.
