Chapter 8 - THE GHOST DOCTOR
Marcus tracked the man to a motel in Queens.
Julian insisted on going.
“So do I,” Elena said.
“No.”
“He may know who I am.”
“He may also be trying to kill you.”
“Exactly.”
Julian saw the determination in her face.
It reminded him of Claire.
Not because they looked alike.
Because neither sister knew when to back down.
“Fine.”
Victoria followed them toward the elevator.
Julian blocked her.
“You stay.”
“I’m involved.”
“That is the problem.”
“Julian—”
“Stay with the boys.”
Her face twisted.
“You don’t trust me with my own sons?”
He met her eyes.
“I don’t know what I trust anymore.”
Two black SUVs carried Julian, Elena, Marcus, and four security officers to Queens.
The motel was dirty and half-empty.
Room 214.
Marcus knocked.
Nothing.
He knocked again.
“Dr. Pike?”
Silence.
Julian stepped back.
Marcus kicked the door open.
The room was dark.
A chair sat in the middle.
On it was an old cassette player.
A note was taped to the wall.
PLAY ME.
Julian pressed the button.
Static.
Then a woman’s voice.
Claire.
Julian almost dropped the recorder.
“If you’re hearing this, something went wrong.”
Elena started crying.
Claire continued.
“Julian, I’m sorry.”
He closed his eyes.
“I should have told you about our daughter sooner. I was scared. Not of you. Of the people around you.”
Julian looked at Elena.
The tape crackled.
“Anna is taking the baby somewhere safe.”
Elena whispered, “Oh my God.”
“Her name is Lily.”
Julian’s throat closed.
His daughter had a name.
Lily.
Then Claire said something none of them expected.
“Victoria is not the person you should fear.”
Julian stared at the recorder.
“She did terrible things. But she doesn’t know what her father has been doing.”
Elena looked at Marcus.
Claire’s voice shook.
“Richard Vale arranged everything.”
Julian’s face hardened.
“He knew the baby would destroy Victoria’s marriage, her public image, and his political future.”
Marcus muttered, “Jesus.”
“Dr. Pike helped him alter records.”
The recording skipped.
Then Claire whispered, “Richard tried to have me declared dead.”
Julian felt sick.
“But Dr. Pike changed his mind. He helped me escape.”
Julian leaned closer.
“Where?”
“I don’t know where they’ll take me. Pike says we have hours.”
The tape hissed.
“If Anna makes it out with Lily, find them.”
Elena covered her mouth.
“And Julian…”
Claire’s voice broke.
“I never stopped loving you.”
The recording ended.
Nobody spoke.
Then a bathroom door creaked.
Marcus drew his weapon.
“Hands where I can see them!”
An old man stepped out.
Thin.
Gray.
Terrified.
Dr. Aaron Pike.
“I knew you’d come.”
Julian charged him.
“Where is Claire?”
Pike raised his hands.
“Alive.”
Julian stopped.
“What?”
“She was alive the last time I saw her.”
“When?”
May you like
Pike looked at him.
“Six months ago.”
