Chapter 9 - THE MAN WHO BUILT THE HOSPITAL
Admiral Richard Prescott was a national hero.
Retired.
Decorated.
Founder of the medical center that bore his name.
His speeches appeared in military leadership textbooks.
His foundation funded research.
His portrait hung in the hospital lobby.
He was eighty-one years old.
And nearly untouchable.
Agent Shaw studied the notebook.
The evidence suggested Prescott had used charitable and medical procurement networks to conceal illegal transactions.
Dr. Grace appeared to be one participant.
Not the architect.
Lauren stared at Prescott's photograph.
“He was in the lobby.”
Shaw looked up.
“When?”
“The night Maisie arrived.”
Lauren remembered.
An elderly man in a dark overcoat.
Standing near the elevators.
Watching.
She hadn't thought anything of it.
Now she wondered.
Investigators reviewed security footage.
Prescott had entered the building at 11:31 p.m.
Six minutes before Maisie arrived.
He left at 11:52.
After Dr. Grace attempted to have the children removed.
Shaw's expression hardened.
“He knew.”
But knowing wasn't enough.
They needed evidence.
The blue notebook contained detailed financial records.
Investigators began tracing the transactions.
Several accounts linked to Prescott's foundation.
Others led to private contractors.
Then they discovered a medical transport scheduled for the following morning.
A patient listed under a false name.
Female.
Twenty-nine.
Transferred from a private facility in Maryland to an undisclosed destination.
Lauren looked at the description.
“Hannah.”
Shaw nodded.
“Possibly.”
The transport was scheduled for 6:00 a.m.
Agents coordinated with local authorities.
The vehicle was intercepted before departure.
Inside was a woman lying on a stretcher.
Thin.
Exhausted.
But alive.
When investigators showed her a photograph of Maisie and Benji, she began crying.
“Hannah Rowan?” an agent asked.
She nodded.
“Your children are safe.”
May you like
Hannah covered her face.
And sobbed.
