Chapter 14 - The Child in the PhotographGabriel refused to attack blindly.
For the first time in his life, he waited.
He needed information.
Evelyn finally told the whole truth.
The twins had been born minutes apart.
Lily was taken first.
The boy, named Noah, was hidden by Antonio.
Elena believed both children would be killed if Gabriel discovered the truth.
So she created the lullaby.
Every verse contained a location.
Every final line contained a name.
Claire realized something.
“Then the last verse tells us where Noah is.”
Evelyn nodded.
“The melody contains coordinates.”
Claire stared.
“Music?”
“Elena used patterns.”
Claire opened the music box.
The final verse played.
Hush now, little sparrow...
Red door, silver moon...
Where the river bends beneath the old stone...
Claire stopped.
“The old bridge.”
Gabriel's eyes sharpened.
“There are six old bridges.”
Claire shook her head.
“No.”
She remembered.
“The Mercer Hotel.”
“Destroyed.”
“Beneath it.”
Gabriel understood.
“There was a service tunnel under the hotel.”
They moved immediately.
By dawn, Gabriel's team found the entrance.
Inside was a hidden underground compound.
Rooms.
Beds.
Medical equipment.
Children's toys.
And one room at the end.
Noah was there.
Four years old.
Alive.
But the boy did not run toward Gabriel.
He stood perfectly still.
Watching.
Claire approached first.
“Hi.”
Noah stared.
“You're Lily's sister.”
Claire smiled through tears.
“Yes.”
Noah looked frightened.
“Papa said you were bad.”
Claire knelt.
“Papa lied.”
Noah's eyes filled with tears.
“He said Mama left me.”
Claire swallowed.
“She didn't.”
The boy stepped forward.
“Did she leave Lily too?”
“No.”
“Then why did she leave me?”
Claire couldn't answer.
Gabriel did.
“She didn't.”
His voice broke.
“I was too late.”
Noah looked at him.
“Are you my daddy?”
Gabriel knelt.
“Yes.”
Noah stared for a long time.
Then he whispered:
“Will you leave?”
Gabriel shook his head.
“Never.”
A gunshot came from behind.
Evelyn fell.
Antonio stepped out of the darkness.
“Touching.”
Gabriel stood.
Antonio pointed his gun at Noah.
“Put yours down.”
Gabriel did.
Antonio smiled.
Then Claire stepped forward.
“Wait.”
Antonio looked at her.
“You.”
Claire held up the silver key.
“You've been looking for this.”
Antonio's face changed.
“What is it?”
“The original ledger.”
His smile vanished.
Claire held up a small memory card.
“Elena hid it inside the key.”
Antonio stared.
“No.”
“It contains every payment.”
“Give it to me.”
Claire shook her head.
“You don't understand.”
She smiled.
“The police aren't coming.”
Antonio relaxed.
Then Claire continued:
“They're already here.”
Behind him, floodlights erupted.
Federal agents stormed the tunnel.
Antonio turned.
Gabriel tackled him.
The gun fired.
May you like
The bullet struck the ceiling.
And in the chaos, the entire tunnel began collapsing.
