Chapter 9 - THE DAUGHTER HE THOUGHT WAS DEAD
The young woman who opened the door looked at Vincent as though she had seen a ghost.
She was nineteen.
Dark curls framed her face.
Her eyes were gray.
The same gray as his.
Vincent stopped moving.
"Sofia?"
She stared.
"My name is Sarah."
His face crumpled.
"I know what they called you."
She stepped backward.
"Who are you?"
Vincent swallowed.
"I'm your father."
The young woman went pale.
"No."
He took a step forward.
She retreated.
"My father is dead."
Vincent stopped.
"Who told you that?"
"Uncle Adrian."
Silence.
Vincent closed his eyes.
Of course.
Adrian had not only stolen his daughter.
He had stolen her memories.
Ruiz approached carefully.
"Sarah, we're investigating serious crimes involving Adrian Marquetti. We believe your identity may have been falsified."
Sarah looked terrified.
"I don't understand."
Vincent reached into his coat.
He removed the photograph of Isabella.
Sarah stared.
Her hand flew to her mouth.
"That's..."
"Your mother."
Tears filled her eyes.
"I've seen her."
Vincent froze.
"Where?"
"In dreams."
She touched the photograph.
"She used to sing."
Vincent's voice broke.
"What song?"
Sarah began humming.
Softly.
The Little Star Waltz.
Vincent covered his face.
I began crying too.
Sarah looked between us.
"What is happening?"
Vincent lowered his hands.
"Your mother loved you."
His voice trembled.
"She loved you more than anything."
Sarah stared.
"And you?"
He swallowed.
"I have loved you every day since you disappeared."
For a long moment, she said nothing.
Then she whispered:
"Why didn't you come?"
Vincent's face broke.
"I tried."
Tears slipped down his cheeks.
"I looked everywhere."
Sarah looked at him.
"I waited."
The words nearly destroyed him.
He stepped forward.
Slowly.
Giving her room to refuse.
"May I hug you?"
Sarah stared.
Then nodded.
Vincent wrapped his arms around her.
She began sobbing.
He held her as though the world might take her away again.
I looked toward the sky.
For fourteen years, this girl had believed her father abandoned her.
For fourteen years, he had believed she was dead.
And all that time, Adrian had known the truth.
But we still had to find Lily.
Sarah pulled away.
"Uncle Adrian came yesterday."
Vincent stiffened.
"What did he say?"
"He told me someone would come asking questions."
Ruiz leaned forward.
"Did he mention a little girl?"
Sarah nodded.
My heart stopped.
"Yes."
I grabbed the doorframe.
"What did he say?"
Sarah looked frightened.
"He said he was bringing a child here."
"When?"
"Tonight."
Vincent turned toward Ruiz.
"We need to secure the property."
Ruiz nodded.
Officers moved into position.
Sarah looked at me.
"Is the little girl yours?"
I nodded.
"She's four."
Sarah's eyes filled.
"I'm sorry."
I shook my head.
"It's not your fault."
She took my hand.
Then whispered:
"There's a basement."
I froze.
"What?"
"Under the old medical wing. Uncle Adrian uses it when he doesn't want anyone to see his visitors."
Ruiz spoke into her radio.
Officers moved toward the rear entrance.
I looked at Vincent.
He nodded.
"We're going to get her."
But before anyone could move, a loud explosion shook the building.
Glass shattered.
Sarah screamed.
Vincent pulled her down.
Smoke filled the hallway.
And somewhere beneath us, I heard a child's voice.
"Mommy!"
May you like
Lily.
Alive.
