Chapter 8 - THE WOMAN IN THE RED SCARF
Delaney immediately called Detective Keene.
She gave her the address and repeated Sofia's warning.
Within minutes, police were on their way.
The address led to a private residence outside Chicago.
The property was surrounded by tall hedges and monitored by cameras.
Officers entered with a warrant.
They found Sofia Ferraro in an upstairs bedroom.
She was conscious.
Weak.
And frightened.
A medical team assessed her and transported her to a hospital.
Casius arrived shortly afterward.
When he saw his mother, he stopped.
Sofia lay in bed beneath a white blanket.
Her hair was disheveled.
Her face was pale.
But she smiled when she saw him.
"My boy."
Casius crossed the room.
He took her hand.
"Ma."
His voice broke.
"I'm sorry."
Sofia touched his cheek.
"You found me."
He shook his head.
"Delaney did."
Sofia looked toward the doorway.
Delaney stood beside Detective Keene.
Sofia smiled.
"Of course she did."
Later, Sofia explained what had happened.
She had discovered suspicious documents connected to the Ashford Foundation.
She confronted Camille.
The next day, she was transferred to the private residence under the pretense of receiving specialized medical care.
Her phone was taken.
Visitors were restricted.
And she was told Casius had approved everything.
"Why didn't you believe them?" Delaney asked.
Sofia smiled faintly.
"Because my son is many things. But he would never send me away without speaking to me."
Detective Keene asked about the warning.
"The woman in the red scarf."
Sofia's expression darkened.
"A nurse."
Delaney frowned.
"Who?"
"She came every evening. She wore a red scarf over her uniform."
"Name?"
Sofia hesitated.
"Rebecca."
Delaney felt cold.
Rebecca Sloan.
Judith Sloan's daughter.
A nurse who had recently transferred from St. Bellamy to a private care agency.
Delaney looked at Detective Keene.
"I know her."
Sarah nodded.
"Then we need to find her."
That night, Rebecca Sloan was arrested at O'Hare International Airport while attempting to board an international flight.
Investigators recovered messages connecting her to Camille Ashford.
But the most important evidence was found in her luggage.
A sealed envelope.
Inside was a handwritten note from Sofia Ferraro.
It contained three names.
Edmund Ashford.
Merrick Doyle.
And a third person.
Delaney stared at the name.
May you like
Her stomach dropped.
August Bellamy.
