Chapter 16 - THE THREAT AGAINST A NEWBORN
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Holly called hospital security immediately.
The photograph was placed in an evidence bag.
Marcus arrived within twenty minutes and reviewed the security footage.
A man in a baseball cap had entered the hospital through the main lobby, left the envelope at reception, and walked out.
His face was partially hidden.
But Marcus recognized his build.
“Arthur Pike.”
Nora's blood ran cold.
“Was he near the nursery?”
“We don't know yet.”
“Then find out.”
The hospital moved Evelyn to a secure observation room. Two security officers were assigned to the corridor.
Nora refused to leave her daughter.
Holly brought food and a clean sweater.
“You need to rest.”
“I will when she's safe.”
“She is safe right now.”
Nora looked at the photograph.
“Someone took a picture of my newborn through a hospital window.”
Holly had no answer.
By late afternoon, Marcus had identified the car used by Pike.
It was registered to a company connected to Gideon Rourke.
The district attorney issued a warrant for the company records.
Camden called again.
Nora declined.
Then he sent a message.
Pike is dangerous. Let me help you.
Nora stared at it.
Holly shook her head.
“Don't respond.”
But Nora typed one sentence.
You knew he was dangerous when you sent him to my mother.
She sent it.
Camden did not answer.
That evening, a nurse brought Nora a second envelope.
This one contained no photograph.
Only a handwritten note.
Eleanor is alive.
Nora stopped breathing.
Holly took the note.
“Who gave you this?”
“The same person who left the first one.”
“Did you see them?”
“No.”
Marcus was called.
He examined the paper.
“It's from an old typewriter. We may be able to trace the source.”
Nora looked at him.
“Can we find my mother?”
“We're going to try.”
She sat beside Evelyn's bassinet.
The baby slept with one tiny hand curled beside her cheek.
Nora whispered, “Your grandmother is out there.”
The thought was almost too painful to hold.
If Eleanor was alive, Nora might finally hear her voice.
She might ask why she had been left.
She might ask why no one came.
She might learn whether her mother had ever stopped looking.
Then Marcus returned with an update.
“The note was delivered by a hospital employee.”
“Which employee?”
“Someone from the night cleaning crew. He says a woman paid him to leave it.”
“Did he identify her?”
Marcus looked at Nora.
“He described a woman with dark hair and a silver bird pendant.”
Nora touched the pendant around her own neck.
Holly's eyes widened.
“Your mother?”
Marcus nodded.
“It's possible.”
Nora stood too quickly.
The room tilted.
Holly caught her arm.
“Easy.”
Nora looked toward the door.
“Where is she?”
“We don't know yet.”
But Nora was already moving.
May you like
She had spent thirty years waiting for an answer.
She was not going to wait another night.
