Chapter 17 - THE SIGNATURE THAT WASN'T HIS|
Adrian had never authorized the transfer.
The hospital records showed his electronic signature, his security code, and a verification call made from his personal phone.
Someone had duplicated every detail.
"Where did they take her?" he demanded.
The nurse checked the transfer documents.
"Northstar Children's Center."
Margaret looked at Dominic.
"That's the facility where Sophia was kept."
Dominic nodded weakly.
"Charles owns it."
Adrian turned to his security chief.
"Find the location."
The man checked the records.
"It's outside the city. About ninety miles north."
"Get the cars ready."
Elena stepped forward.
"I'm coming."
Adrian looked at her.
"Not this time."
"Isabella knows me. If she's frightened, she'll need someone she trusts."
"She needs her father."
"Then let me help you get to her."
He hesitated.
Dominic spoke from the bed.
"Take her."
Adrian looked at his father.
"Why?"
"Because Charles expects you to come alone. He knows how you fight. He doesn't know what she'll do."
Elena frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Dominic's gaze moved to her.
"Your mother hid the real ledger. The one in the nursery was only a copy."
Elena looked at Margaret.
"Where is the original?"
Margaret shook her head.
"I don't know."
Dominic continued.
"She left it somewhere no one would think to search. Somewhere connected to the day you were born."
Elena's mind raced.
The photograph. The clinic. The old hospital records. The company registered under her name.
"Was I born at Northstar?"
Dominic nodded.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Your mother worked there. She discovered the experiments while she was pregnant. Sophia helped her escape."
Elena stared at him.
"Was I part of the testing?"
"No. You were never a subject."
"Then why did Charles use my name to create the company?"
"Because he needed a legal identity that could connect the money to someone who wouldn't be suspected."
Adrian looked at the documents.
"How do we find the ledger?"
Dominic closed his eyes.
"Ask your mother what she placed beneath your hospital bracelet."
Elena turned to Margaret.
Her mother looked as if she had been struck.
"I remember," she whispered.
"What?"
"A tiny silver key. I put it in your baby blanket before I left the hospital."
"Where is it?"
"I kept the blanket."
"Where?"
Margaret reached into her bag and removed a folded piece of fabric. It was yellowed with age, but a small silver key was stitched into the hem.
Elena held it.
A number was engraved on the handle.
N-14.
The same marking as the key from Sophia's piano.
Adrian looked at her.
"Two keys."
"Two locks," Elena replied.
Dominic's voice weakened.
"The original ledger is inside the Northstar facility. The second key opens the room where they kept the records."
Adrian turned toward the door.
"Then that's where we're going."
As they left the room, Dominic called after him.
"Adrian."
He stopped.
"Don't trust the person who tells you Sophia is waiting."
Adrian looked back.
"Why?"
May you like
Dominic's eyes filled with regret.
"Because Charles has been using her voice to control you for three years."
