Chapter 7 - The Road That Wasn't on Any Map
The hospital did not exist.
Not officially.
The address led to a private rehabilitation center hidden behind a wooded road.
Dominic entered with Kaye.
Room 208 contained a man connected to oxygen.
Silver hair.
Thin face.
Scar along his throat.
Dominic stopped.
“Michael?”
The man's eyes opened.
Eleven years collapsed into one second.
Dominic approached his brother.
Michael whispered, “You took your time.”
Dominic laughed and cried simultaneously.
Kaye turned away.
Their reunion lasted less than a minute.
Toby was still missing.
Michael explained.
August had arranged the crash.
Michael survived but suffered severe injuries.
A doctor on August's payroll declared him dead.
For years, Michael was moved between private facilities while August used his supposed death to control the family's assets.
Helen eventually discovered him.
She had spent years protecting him.
“Why now?” Dominic asked.
“Because August found out Helen knew.”
Michael looked at Kaye.
“And he found Toby.”
“Why does he care about my son?”
“He doesn't.”
Michael coughed.
“He cares about you.”
Kaye stared.
Michael knew Evan.
Years ago, Evan had copied evidence proving August's crimes.
But he had hidden the encryption key with Kaye without telling her.
“The cookbook?”
“No.”
Michael shook his head.
“The diner.”
Kaye's eyes narrowed.
“My diner?”
“Your father built Mercer’s Kettle.”
“Yes.”
“He built something else beneath it.”
Kaye felt cold.
They returned.
Under the pantry floor, they discovered a steel compartment.
Inside was a hard drive.
And twenty years of evidence.
August hadn't kidnapped Toby for money.
He wanted the drive.
Dominic called him.
“I have it.”
“Good.”
“Trade.”
Silence.
Then August gave an address.
The old reservoir.
Midnight.
Kaye insisted on going.
Dominic refused.
She stared him down.
He surrendered.
At 11:52, they reached the reservoir.
The red truck stood beside the pumping station.
Kaye heard Toby inside.
Dominic's men surrounded the building.
But Kaye noticed something.
No guards.
Too easy.
“Stop.”
Dominic looked at her.
She pointed toward the mud.
Tire tracks led away.
Fresh.
“The truck is bait.”
Mateo checked.
Empty.
Inside, another speaker played Toby's voice.
Kaye wanted to scream.
Instead, she listened.
There was background noise.
A bell.
Three strikes.
Then a train horn.
She knew that sound.
Mercer's Kettle.
The freight line behind her diner crossed the highway every night near midnight.
“Toby is at the diner.”
They raced back.
The front door was open.
Lights burned inside.
Kaye entered.
“Toby?”
A small figure sat in booth six.
Kaye ran.
But Dominic grabbed her.
The figure was a mannequin wearing Toby's jacket.
On the counter sat a phone.
It rang.
Kaye answered.
August spoke.
“You keep following clues, Kaye.”
“Where is my son?”
“Closer than you think.”
A sound came from the kitchen.
Kaye turned.
The freezer door moved.
Someone was inside.
May you like
She approached.
The handle turned from the other side...
