Chapter 13 - The Night Everything Burned
The hospital went into lockdown.
Police evacuated the affected wing while officers searched for Marcus Voss.
Kate waited in a secure room with Damon.
Every minute felt unbearable.
Her mother was safe in federal custody.
But dozens of patients remained inside Saint Vincent's.
People who had nothing to do with Caldwell's crimes.
When Detective Whitmore called, her voice was tense.
"Voss has barricaded himself in a records office."
Damon frowned.
"Why the records office?"
"We think he's trying to destroy archived financial documents."
Kate remembered the blue notebook.
"The hospital grants."
Whitmore confirmed it.
"Those records may prove how Caldwell diverted funds."
A negotiator contacted Voss.
For nearly an hour, he refused to surrender.
Then he demanded to speak to Damon.
Whitmore hesitated before passing along the message.
Damon agreed to speak by phone under police supervision.
Voss's voice was rough.
"You destroyed everything."
Damon answered calmly.
"No. Caldwell did."
"He'll kill me if I talk."
"Then tell the authorities what you know and ask for protection."
Voss laughed bitterly.
"You think it's that simple?"
"No. But it's better than hurting more people."
Silence followed.
Then Voss said something unexpected.
"Your father tried to stop him."
Damon went still.
"What?"
"Vincent found out about Bennett's murder. He threatened Caldwell."
Kate covered her mouth.
Voss continued.
"That's why Vincent died."
Damon closed his eyes.
His father's death had never been an accident.
"Who killed him?"
"Richard gave the order."
"Can you prove it?"
A long pause.
"Yes."
Minutes later, Voss surrendered to police.
Investigators recovered documents and communications linking Caldwell to both deaths.
The evidence was substantial, though prosecutors still needed to authenticate it.
As Voss was led away, Kate looked at Damon.
"You spent your whole life thinking your father abandoned you emotionally."
Damon stared through the hospital window.
"He made terrible choices."
"Yes."
"But maybe he tried to correct them."
Kate rested her head against his shoulder.
"Then you can finish what he started."
Damon kissed her forehead.
Together, they watched the sunrise.
May you like
Neither knew what the next few weeks would bring.
But for the first time, they were no longer running from the truth.
