Chapter 11 - THE CHILD IN THE BLUE PAJAMAS
Grace ran before anyone could stop her.
At Hawthorne estate, she burst into the nursery.
A toddler slept inside Noah’s crib.
Same hair.
Same blue pajamas.
Similar age.
But when Grace touched his cheek, she knew immediately.
Not Noah.
She collapsed beside the crib.
The substitute child was identified as Lucas Reed.
Missing from Wisconsin for twelve hours.
Mercer had not only abducted Noah.
He had replaced him.
The message was clear.
He could reach anywhere.
Damian stood beside Grace.
His face was empty.
Grace grabbed his hand.
“Stay here.”
He looked at her.
“Stay with me.”
His breathing slowed.
Cole interrogated Gabriel.
This time Gabriel talked.
Everything.
Mercer had blackmailed him for years.
Gabriel killed Elias because Mercer threatened Gabriel’s daughter.
He orchestrated Isabel’s death.
He recruited Camille.
He manipulated the board.
He hated himself.
But he obeyed.
Grace did not forgive him.
Neither did Damian.
But they used him.
Mercer wanted the ledger and control signatures from all Continuity Council members.
Noah was leverage.
A meeting was arranged at an abandoned rail terminal.
Mercer brought Noah.
Grace saw him through binoculars.
Alive.
Held by a woman.
Damian carried the ledger.
Cole carried the council documents.
Gabriel walked between them.
Mercer smiled.
“A family reunion.”
Damian said nothing.
Mercer held out his hand.
“The book.”
Damian lifted it.
“Noah first.”
Mercer laughed.
“You still think this is a negotiation.”
Then Gabriel stepped forward.
“It is now.”
Mercer’s smile faded.
Gabriel turned toward Damian.
“I’m sorry.”
Then he walked toward Mercer.
For one hopeful second, Grace thought he was helping.
Instead, Gabriel pulled a weapon.
Cole raised his.
Damian froze.
Gabriel aimed at Damian.
Grace screamed.
A shot cracked.
Damian remained standing.
Gabriel collapsed.
Mercer had shot him first.
Gabriel fell to his knees.
Blood spread across his shirt.
He looked at Damian.
“Not…”
He coughed.
“…you.”
Damian crouched.
“What?”
Gabriel forced out the words.
“Never… you.”
Then his eyes moved toward Mercer.
Grace understood.
Gabriel had never intended to shoot Damian.
He intended to turn the weapon on Mercer.
Too late.
Chaos erupted.
Federal teams moved.
Mercer’s men scattered.
Grace ran toward Noah.
The woman holding him fled.
Grace chased her between rail cars.
“STOP!”
Noah heard her.
“Ga!”
The woman hesitated.
That single second was enough.
Grace caught them.
The woman tried to climb a platform.
Grace grabbed Noah’s coat.
“Give him to me.”
The woman looked terrified.
“I can’t.”
“Why?”
“He’ll kill my daughter.”
Grace froze.
Another coerced pawn.
Just like Camille.
Just like Gabriel.
Mercer built loyalty through fear.
Grace lowered her voice.
“He loses if you stop being afraid alone.”
The woman began crying.
Then handed Noah to her.
Grace pulled him against her.
He screamed.
Then recognized her.
“Ga…”
Grace cried for the first time since the nightmare began.
“Yes.”
“I’m here.”
Across the terminal, Mercer escaped again.
But this time he left something behind.
His phone.
Inside was a scheduled message.
To dozens of Hawthorne associates.
May you like
At midnight:
IF YOU RECEIVE THIS, KILL DAMIAN HAWTHORNE.
