Chapter 15 - The Hidden Trap
My heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird
as I looked at the weapon hidden inside the guard's jacket.
The realization that my mother would go this far
violating a hospital and threatening lives
showed her true insanity.
"What do you want?"
I whispered
my voice barely audible over the hum of the air conditioner.
"Just a little drive
Jake
your mother wants to have a final family meeting,"
the first guard said
stepping closer and grabbing my arm with a grip like steel.
"If you make a sound
the doctor inside that operating room might have an unfortunate accident."
The cruelty of the threat left me with no choice.
I couldn't risk Megan's life or the baby's safety.
I let them lead me out of the surgical lounge
down a back service elevator that bypassed the main lobby.
The elevator descended into the basement of the hospital
emerging into a dark
empty loading dock.
The black SUV was parked there
its engine idling with a low
menacing rumble.
The back door opened
and I was pushed inside onto the leather seats.
Sitting across from me was my mother
looking as elegant and composed as ever
sipping from a small thermos of tea.
"Hello
Jake,"
she said softly
as the guards climbed into the front seats and drove the vehicle out into the night.
"You look terrible
darling
you really should take better care of yourself."
"You are insane
Linda
the police have a warrant for your arrest right now!"
I shouted
the anger exploding out of me despite the danger.
She laughed
a soft
musical sound that made my skin crawl.
"A warrant in Illinois means nothing out here in the woods
Jake,"
she replied smoothly.
"By the time they coordinate the paperwork
we will be long gone."
"Where are you taking me?"
"We are going back to the city
where we belong
and you are going to sign a document stating that Megan is unstable."
"If you do that
I will ensure she receives the best medical care money can buy at my facility."
"And what about my child?"
I demanded
my teeth chattering with rage.
"The baby will be raised by someone who can provide a proper future,"
she said coldly
her eyes locking onto mine with a terrifying emptiness.
"Someone like me."
The sheer horror of her plan became clear.
She didn't just want to destroy Megan
she wanted to steal our child to replace the control she had lost over me.
"I will never sign anything,"
I said
staring her down with all the defiance I had left.
"Oh
you will
Jake,"
she smiled
tapping her manicured fingers against the armrest.
"Because if you don't
your precious Megan won't survive the night in that hospital."
"I have people everywhere
darling
and accidents happen in operating rooms every single day."
I looked out the window
watching the dark Wisconsin trees fly past
May you like
realizing that I was trapped in a moving fortress with a lunatic
and time was running out for everyone I loved.
