Chapter 4 - THE ANCHOR ON HIS LAPEL
Dr. Harold Grace had spent thirty years building a reputation.
He knew how to sound compassionate.
How to make difficult decisions appear reasonable.
How to turn questions into accusations against the people asking them.
But Agent Rebecca Shaw was not impressed by his polished manner.
“Doctor,” she said, “we need to ask about your contact with the children.”
Grace folded his hands.
“I've never met them.”
Lauren watched him.
Maisie had recognized his pin.
That didn't prove he'd met her.
But it mattered.
Shaw continued.
“Why did you order security to remove an infant who appeared critically ill?”
Grace's expression tightened.
“I instructed staff to contact county services.”
“Before a medical evaluation.”
“I was concerned about safety.”
“Whose safety?”
Grace said nothing.
Meanwhile, Maisie sat beside Benji's bed in the pediatric intensive care unit.
A nurse named Teresa Alvarez had brought her a blanket and a stuffed bear.
Maisie watched the monitors.
“Does he know I'm here?”
Teresa smiled gently.
“You can talk to him.”
Maisie leaned close.
“Benji?”
The baby remained still.
“It's me.”
She touched his tiny hand.
“I brought you to the good hospital.”
Teresa's expression softened.
Maisie whispered, “I found Aunt Lauren.”
Later, Lauren joined her.
Maisie looked up.
“Did they take the anchor man away?”
“Agents are talking to him.”
Maisie frowned.
“He was at the house.”
Lauren's heart stopped.
“What house?”
“The one near the water.”
“Did he speak to you?”
Maisie nodded.
“He told Mommy she had to sign something.”
Lauren sat down.
“What?”
“I don't know.”
Maisie looked toward Benji.
“Mommy said no.”
Lauren swallowed.
“What happened then?”
Maisie's face crumpled.
“The men took her downstairs.”
Lauren felt her stomach twist.
“Did you see where they took her?”
Maisie shook her head.
“I heard her scream.”
Lauren reached for the child's hand.
Maisie squeezed hard.
“Then the anchor man said Benji was sick because Mommy was stubborn.”
Lauren's blood ran cold.
Agent Shaw was called immediately.
She listened to Maisie's account through a child-interview specialist, taking care not to pressure her.
Then she stepped into the hallway with Lauren.
“We have enough to pursue several leads.”
Lauren stared.
“Is Hannah alive?”
Shaw hesitated.
“We don't know.”
Lauren looked toward the child.
“She thinks her mother is coming back.”
Shaw's voice softened.
“Then we need to find out what happened.”
That night, investigators searched records connected to Dr. Grace.
They discovered he had recently approved an unusual medical transport contract.
The contractor's name was Harborline Clinical Logistics.
Its registered address was a warehouse complex near the Chesapeake Bay.
Lauren stared at the name.
“Harborline.”
Shaw looked up.
“You know it?”
Lauren nodded.
“Hannah mentioned that company four years ago.”
The room fell silent.
Then Shaw's phone rang.
She answered.
Listened.
Her face changed.
“What do you mean the warehouse is empty?”
A pause.
Then:
“When?”
She looked at Lauren.
“Three hours ago.”
May you like
The warehouse had been cleared.
And someone had known investigators were coming.
