Chapter 12 - MIDNIGHT AT SAINT AGNES
The chapel stood on an abandoned stretch of highway north of the city.
Its stained-glass windows were cracked.
Ivy climbed the stone walls.
And a single light burned behind the heavy wooden doors.
Norah sat beside Elliot in Margaret's car, studying the building through binoculars.
They had already shared the messages, photographs, and financial evidence with federal investigators.
A joint law-enforcement team was moving into position.
But Norah could barely sit still.
Her parents were somewhere inside.
And Elliot's mother might be too.
“We shouldn't go in until the officers secure it,” she whispered.
Elliot nodded.
“Agreed.”
Suddenly, the chapel doors opened.
Dr. Helen Mercer emerged.
She held a white cloth in one hand.
Behind her walked Isabella Russo.
Alive.
Unsteady.
But alive.
Elliot made a small sound.
Norah reached toward him, then stopped.
“Would you like me to hold your hand?”
He nodded.
“Yes, please.”
She took it.
From the other side of the highway, federal vehicles moved forward.
Agents approached the chapel.
“Federal agents! Keep your hands visible!”
Mercer raised both arms.
“Don't shoot! She's a patient!”
Isabella looked frightened.
She covered her ears when officers began shouting.
Elliot recognized the gesture instantly.
“She needs them to lower their voices.”
He told an agent beside him.
The agent relayed the request.
The shouting stopped.
An officer approached slowly and explained what was happening.
Isabella looked toward the cars.
Then she saw Elliot.
Her lips parted.
“Ellie?”
It was the nickname she had used when he was a little boy.
Elliot stepped forward.
His eyes filled with tears.
“Mom?”
Isabella held out her hand.
He stopped within arm's reach.
For a moment, neither moved.
Then she whispered:
“May I hug you?”
Elliot began crying.
“Yes.”
He stepped into her arms.
Norah turned away, overwhelmed.
But their reunion lasted only seconds.
An agent hurried from the chapel.
“We found two people locked in the basement.”
Norah's heart stopped.
“Who?”
“Thomas and Rebecca Whitmore.”
Her parents.
Both alive.
Both frightened.
Both desperately waiting for her.
Norah ran toward the chapel.
But before she reached the steps, Dr. Mercer shouted:
“Stop! You're making a mistake!”
An agent turned.
“What?”
Mercer pointed toward a black vehicle parked behind the building.
“Enzo isn't the person who arranged tonight's transfer.”
Everyone froze.
“Then who did?”
May you like
Mercer's answer sent a chill through the entire group.
“Detective Cole. And he's already inside your command vehicle.”
