Chapter 7 - THE WOMAN IN THE LOCKED CLINIC
Valyrian entered the private clinic outside Hartford at nine the following morning.
He wasn't alone.
Marco accompanied him, along with Rebecca Shaw and investigators authorized to examine the facility.
Alicia remained at the hospital under Dr. Brooks's care.
She had insisted that Valyrian find his mother.
"Bring her home," she'd whispered.
Now he stood inside a building where Evelyn Darks had apparently spent eleven years.
The clinic director greeted them with an uncomfortable smile.
"Mr. Darks. This is unexpected."
Valyrian looked around.
The place was expensive.
Too expensive for ordinary long-term care.
Fresh flowers decorated the reception desk.
Classical music played softly.
Everything had been designed to appear peaceful.
"Where is Evelyn Darks?"
The director's expression tightened.
"I'm afraid patient information is confidential."
Rebecca displayed her credentials and the relevant legal authorization.
"Then speak with us privately."
After reviewing the records, investigators identified a patient registered as Evelyn Marsh.
Her photograph matched Valyrian's mother.
She was being treated in a secure neurological unit.
Valyrian followed a nurse down a quiet hallway.
Every step felt unreal.
He had spent eleven years visiting a grave.
Eleven years remembering a woman he believed he'd lost.
Now the nurse opened a door.
And Evelyn Darks looked up from a book.
She was older.
Her hair was silver.
Deep lines framed her eyes.
But the moment she saw him, her hand flew to her mouth.
"Valyrian?"
His knees almost failed him.
"Mom?"
The book slipped from her lap.
He crossed the room.
She stood too quickly, and he caught her.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Evelyn wrapped her arms around him.
"My boy."
Valyrian buried his face against her shoulder.
He was no longer the feared leader of a powerful organization.
He was a son who had believed his mother was dead.
"I thought I lost you."
Evelyn began crying.
"They told me you knew."
He pulled back.
"What?"
"They said you agreed that I should remain here."
"Who said that?"
"Caleum."
Valyrian felt the familiar anger rise.
But Evelyn caught his hand.
"Listen carefully."
He sat beside her.
"Your father was planning to expose the money being stolen from our companies. He discovered Caleum had been moving funds through accounts belonging to our relatives."
"Then why did Dad die?"
Evelyn looked toward the door.
"He found evidence of something much larger."
"What?"
"Payments to private medical facilities. Insurance fraud. Fake identities."
Valyrian remembered Alicia's reports.
"Did he confront Caleum?"
Evelyn nodded.
"Three days before he died."
She took a trembling breath.
"Your father called me from his office. He said he had proof. Then he asked me to bring him a sealed envelope."
"What was inside?"
"I never found out."
Valyrian frowned.
"Why?"
"Because someone attacked me on the highway before I reached him."
Her eyes filled.
"The crash wasn't an accident."
Valyrian held her hand more tightly.
"Did you see who caused it?"
Evelyn shook her head.
"But I heard the person giving orders."
"Who?"
Her voice dropped.
"It wasn't Caleum."
Valyrian stared at her.
"Then who was it?"
Evelyn swallowed.
"Your father."
For a moment, the entire room went silent.
Then she whispered the words that changed everything.
May you like
"Valyrian, your father was still alive when they brought me here."
And according to the clinic records, he had visited her every month for the next four years.
