Chapter 9: The Voice Behind the Glass
Frank knew the song before he understood what he was hearing.
Their
Frank knew the song before he understood what he was hearing.
Their mother used to sing it whenever Daniel had nightmares.
She would sit on the edge of his bed, brush mother used to sing it whenever Daniel had nightmares.
She would sit on the edge of his bed, brush his hair away from his forehead, and sing until his breathing slowed.
Frank remembered being jealous.
He had always been the tougher child.
The his hair away from his forehead, and sing until his breathing slowed.
Frank remembered being jealous.
He had always been the tougher child.
The one who didn't cry.
But whenever the house went dark, he secretly wished she would sing for him one who didn't cry.
But whenever the house went dark, he secretly wished she would sing for him too.
Now that same melody was coming from beneath a medical facility.
Daniel opened the locked door.
too.
Now that same melody was coming from beneath a medical facility.
Daniel opened the locked door.
A narrow staircase descended into darkness.
Frank looked at his brother.
“She's down there?””
Daniel nodded.
“ButA narrow staircase descended into darkness.
Frank looked at his brother.
“She's down there?””
Daniel nodded.
“But you need to prepare yourself.””
“For what?””
“She's not the woman you remember.””
Frank you need to prepare yourself.””
“For what?””
“She's not the woman you remember.””
Frank swallowed.
“She's still our mother.””
Daniel looked away.
“Sometimes she knows that swallowed.
“She's still our mother.””
Daniel looked away.
“Sometimes she knows that.””
The words hurt more than Frank expected.
He turned toward the stairs.
“Then.””
The words hurt more than Frank expected.
He turned toward the stairs.
“Then let's go.””
Mitchell appeared in the doorway.
“Hold on. We need to secure the lower level first.””
Daniel shook his head.
“You don't understand let's go.””
Mitchell appeared in the doorway.
“Hold on. We need to secure the lower level first.””
Daniel shook his head.
“You don't understand. They're moving her tonight.””
“Who?””
“Dean's people.””
Mit. They're moving her tonight.””
“Who?””
“Dean's people.””
Mitchell raised her radio.
“Have the lower level secured immediately.””
A responsechell raised her radio.
“Have the lower level secured immediately.””
A response came back.
“Detective, we're encountering locked medical doors came back.
“Detective, we're encountering locked medical doors. No access from this side.””
Daniel pointed toward the staircase.
“There's another entrance below. That's how they move the patients.””
Mitchell. No access from this side.””
Daniel pointed toward the staircase.
“There's another entrance below. That's how they move the patients.””
Mitchell looked at Frank.
“Stay behind the officers.””
Frank nodded.
They descended looked at Frank.
“Stay behind the officers.””
Frank nodded.
They descended.
The air became colder.
At the bottom was a narrow hallway lined with reinforced glass doors.
The air became colder.
At the bottom was a narrow hallway lined with reinforced glass doors.
Behind some were empty beds.
Behind others were medical equipment and storage cabinets.
A few.
Behind some were empty beds.
Behind others were medical equipment and storage cabinets.
A few doors had names attached.
Frank stopped at one.
**ELEANOR CALL doors had names attached.
Frank stopped at one.
*ELEANOR CALLAHAN — PATIENT 0041.*
His fingers trembled.
Daniel stoodAHAN — PATIENT 0041.**
His fingers trembled.
Daniel stood beside him.
“That's her.””
Frank looked through the glass.
An elderly woman sat beside him.
“That's her.””
Frank looked through the glass.
An elderly woman sat in a wheelchair near the window.
Her silver hair was tied into a loose bun in a wheelchair near the window.
Her silver hair was tied into a loose bun.
A thin blanket covered her legs.
Her hands rested in her lap.
Frank couldn't breathe.
A thin blanket covered her legs.
Her hands rested in her lap.
Frank couldn't breathe.
She looked older than he remembered.
Much older.
But the shape of her face was the same.
The small crease.
She looked older than he remembered.
Much older.
But the shape of her face was the same.
The small crease between her eyebrows.
The curve of her mouth.
The familiar way she tilted her head when listening.
It between her eyebrows.
The curve of her mouth.
The familiar way she tilted her head when listening.
It was Eleanor.
His mother.
Alive.
Frank approached the glass.
“Mom?””
She didn't respond.
He was Eleanor.
His mother.
Alive.
Frank approached the glass.
“Mom?””
She didn't respond.
He pressed his palm against the window.
“Mom, it's Frank.””
The woman slowly turned.
pressed his palm against the window.
“Mom, it's Frank.””
The woman slowly turned.
Her eyes moved over his face.
For a moment, there was nothing.
Then she beganHer eyes moved over his face.
For a moment, there was nothing.
Then she began to sing.
The same lullaby.
Frank's eyes filled.
“It's me, Mom.””
She to sing.
The same lullaby.
Frank's eyes filled.
“It's me, Mom.””
She stopped singing.
She looked at him again.
Then she raised one trembling hand.
“Daniel?””
Frank turned stopped singing.
She looked at him again.
Then she raised one trembling hand.
“Daniel?””
Frank turned.
His brother had tears running down his cheeks.
“I'm here, Mama.””
Eleanor stared at him.
Then she looked.
His brother had tears running down his cheeks.
“I'm here, Mama.””
Eleanor stared at him.
Then she looked at Frank.
“Where's my other boy?””
Frank covered his mouth.
“I'm here too.””
She at Frank.
“Where's my other boy?””
Frank covered his mouth.
“I'm here too.””
She frowned.
“You've grown.””
Frank laughed through his tears.
“Yeah, Mom. It's been a while.””
Eleanor reached toward frowned.
“You've grown.””
Frank laughed through his tears.
“Yeah, Mom. It's been a while.””
Eleanor reached toward the glass.
Daniel searched the wall for the release mechanism.
Mitchell helped him locate the manual the glass.
Daniel searched the wall for the release mechanism.
Mitchell helped him locate the manual override.
The lock clicked.
The door opened.
Frank stepped inside.
For a second, he couldn't move.
Then Eleanor reached for him.
He override.
The lock clicked.
The door opened.
Frank stepped inside.
For a second, he couldn't move.
Then Eleanor reached for him.
He dropped to his knees and held her hands.
They were cold.
Fragile.
But they were real.
“I'm dropped to his knees and held her hands.
They were cold.
Fragile.
But they were real.
“I'm sorry,” Frank whispered.
Eleanor touched his cheek.
“Why are you sorry?””
“Because I should have found you.””
She sorry,” Frank whispered.
Eleanor touched his cheek.
“Why are you sorry?””
“Because I should have found you.””
She studied him.
Then she smiled faintly.
“You always were stubborn.””
Frank laughed.
Daniel kn studied him.
Then she smiled faintly.
“You always were stubborn.””
Frank laughed.
Daniel knelt beside them.
For a few seconds, the three of them were together again.
A family.
Then Eleanorelt beside them.
For a few seconds, the three of them were together again.
A family.
Then Eleanor's expression changed.
She looked toward the corridor.
“Is he coming?””
Frank gently brushed her hair back.
“Who's coming, Mom?””
“The man's expression changed.
She looked toward the corridor.
“Is he coming?””
Frank gently brushed her hair back.
“Who's coming, Mom?””
“The man with the papers.””
Daniel stiffened.
Frank looked at him.
“What papers?””
Eleanor began trembling.
“He said I had to sign with the papers.””
Daniel stiffened.
Frank looked at him.
“What papers?””
Eleanor began trembling.
“He said I had to sign. He said the boys would go away if I didn't.””
Daniel held her. He said the boys would go away if I didn't.””
Daniel held her hand.
“It's okay, Mama. You're safe.””
But she shook her head.
“No. No, he said the older hand.
“It's okay, Mama. You're safe.””
But she shook her head.
“No. No, he said the older boy would die.””
Frank felt his stomach tighten.
“Who said that?””
Eleanor looked directly at him.
“Your father boy would die.””
Frank felt his stomach tighten.
“Who said that?””
Eleanor looked directly at him.
“Your father.””
Frank froze.
Their father had been dead for twenty-five years.
Daniel lowered his head.
Frank turned.””
Frank froze.
Their father had been dead for twenty-five years.
Daniel lowered his head.
Frank turned toward him.
“What is she talking about?””
Daniel didn't answer.
“Danny.””
His brother finally looked up toward him.
“What is she talking about?””
Daniel didn't answer.
“Danny.””
His brother finally looked up.
“Dad wasn't who we thought he was.””
Frank stared.
“What?””
.
“Dad wasn't who we thought he was.””
Frank stared.
“What?””
Daniel took a deep breath.
“Before he died, he worked with the people who ran this placeDaniel took a deep breath.
“Before he died, he worked with the people who ran this place. He helped them transfer patients and hide financial records. When Mom discovered what he was doing, he.
He helped them transfer patients and hide financial records. When Mom discovered what he was doing, he had her declared mentally incompetent.””
Frank shook his head.
“That's impossible.””
“I found had her declared mentally incompetent.””
Frank shook his head.
“That's impossible.””
“I found the documents in 2006.””
“Then why didn't you tell me?””
“Because your signature was already on the transfer papers.””
“I the documents in 2006.””
“Then why didn't you tell me?””
“Because your signature was already on the transfer papers.””
“I never signed anything!””
“I know that now.””
Daniel's voice cracked.
“But back then, I thought you never signed anything!””
“I know that now.””
Daniel's voice cracked.
“But back then, I thought you had chosen Dad over Mom.””
Frank looked at Eleanor.
She was staring at the floor, had chosen Dad over Mom.””
Frank looked at Eleanor.
She was staring at the floor, quietly rubbing her hands together.
“What happened in 2006?”” Frank asked.
Daniel glanced quietly rubbing her hands together.
“What happened in 2006?”” Frank asked.
Daniel glanced at Mitchell.
Then he spoke.
“Dad wasn't dead when we thought he died.””
Frank felt the at Mitchell.
Then he spoke.
“Dad wasn't dead when we thought he died.””
Frank felt the room tilt.
“What?””
“He was living under another name. He was helping Dean's father run room tilt.
“What?””
“He was living under another name. He was helping Dean's father run the operation.””
Frank stepped backward.
“That makes no sense. We attended his funeral.””
the operation.””
Frank stepped backward.
“That makes no sense. We attended his funeral.””
Daniel nodded.
“Another closed coffin.””
Frank stared at him.
Two funerals.
Two coffDaniel nodded.
“Another closed coffin.””
Frank stared at him.
Two funerals.
Two coffins.
Two people declared dead.
Both possibly alive.
Mitchell stepped closerins.
Two people declared dead.
Both possibly alive.
Mitchell stepped closer.
“Do you have evidence?””
Daniel nodded.
“Emily has the original patient ledger. It contains the transfer.
“Do you have evidence?””
Daniel nodded.
“Emily has the original patient ledger. It contains the transfer records and the signatures of everyone involved.””
“Where is it?””
Daniel pointed toward a small metal cabinet.
“Inside.””
Mitchell opened records and the signatures of everyone involved.””
“Where is it?””
Daniel pointed toward a small metal cabinet.
“Inside.””
Mitchell opened it.
There were several folders, medical records, and a black notebook.
She picked it.
There were several folders, medical records, and a black notebook.
She picked up the notebook.
“This is it?””
Daniel nodded.
“Everything is in there.””
Frank looked up the notebook.
“This is it?””
Daniel nodded.
“Everything is in there.””
Frank looked at the pages.
Names.
Dates.
Financial transfers.
Medical authorizations.
And hundreds at the pages.
Names.
Dates.
Financial transfers.
Medical authorizations.
And hundreds of signatures.
Then he noticed something familiar.
A name repeated across several pages.
*MARGARET CARTER.*
L of signatures.
Then he noticed something familiar.
A name repeated across several pages.
*MARGARET CARTER.*
Lily's grandmother.
Frank looked at Daniel.
“Why is her name here?””
Daniel's expression darkily's grandmother.
Frank looked at Daniel.
“Why is her name here?””
Daniel's expression darkened.
“Because she helped Emily hide the children.””
Frank turned anotherened.
“Because she helped Emily hide the children.””
Frank turned another page.
There was a photograph attached.
It showed Margaret standing beside a younger Daniel page.
There was a photograph attached.
It showed Margaret standing beside a younger Daniel.
And beside them was a little girl.
Emily.
Frank stared.
“How long has this been going on?””
Daniel lowered.
And beside them was a little girl.
Emily.
Frank stared.
“How long has this been going on?””
Daniel lowered his eyes.
“Longer than you know.””
Suddenly, an officer shouted from the corridor.
“Detective! We've got a problem!””
Mitchell stepped outside.
“What?””
“Someone accessed the main security system. The lower-level doors are opening.””
Daniel stood his eyes.
“Longer than you know.””
Suddenly, an officer shouted from the corridor.
“Detective! We've got a problem!””
Mitchell stepped outside.
“What?””
“Someone accessed the main security system. The lower-level doors are opening.””
Daniel stood abruptly.
“That's impossible.””
The lights flickered.
A warning siren began.
Then a voice came over the speakers.
“Patient evacuation protocol abruptly.
“That's impossible.””
The lights flickered.
A warning siren began.
Then a voice came over the speakers.
“Patient evacuation protocol activated.””
Mitchell grabbed her radio.
“Who authorized that?””
No answer.
A metal door slammed at the end of the hallway.
Frank rushed toward activated.””
Mitchell grabbed her radio.
“Who authorized that?””
No answer.
A metal door slammed at the end of the hallway.
Frank rushed toward Eleanor.
“Mom, we have Eleanor.
“Mom, we have to go.””
But she grabbed his wrist.
Her fingers were surprisingly strong.
“Not without the little girl.””
Frank looked at her.
“What little girl?””
Eleanor's eyes filled with tears.
“The one in the next room.””
Daniel went pale.
He slowly turned toward the glass door beside his to go.””
But she grabbed his wrist.
Her fingers were surprisingly strong.
“Not without the little girl.””
Frank looked at her.
“What little girl?””
Eleanor's eyes filled with tears.
“The one in the next room.””
Daniel went pale.
He slowly turned toward the glass door beside his mother's room.
A small white label was attached to it.
**PATIENT 0042 — EMILY mother's room.
A small white label was attached to it.
*PATIENT 0042 — EMILY CARTER.*
Frank looked through the glass.
The room was empty.
A hospital bed sat against the wall.
A blanket lay folded at the foot.
And CARTER.**
Frank looked through the glass.
The room was empty.
A hospital bed sat against the wall.
A blanket lay folded at the foot.
And on the pillow was a photograph.
Frank picked it up.
It showed Emily holding Lily as a on the pillow was a photograph.
Frank picked it up.
It showed Emily holding Lily as a baby.
On the back, someone baby.
On the back, someone had written:
The children were never supposed to survive.
He turned toward Daniel.
“Who wrote this?””
Daniel's face had gone completely white.
Before he could answer, a door opened behind them.
A man's voice had written:
The children were never supposed to survive.
He turned toward Daniel.
“Who wrote this?””
Daniel's face had gone completely white.
Before he could answer, a door opened behind them.
A man's voice echoed through the corridor.
“Hello, Frank.””
Everyone turned.
A tall, silver-haired man stood beneath the echoed through the corridor.
“Hello, Frank.””
Everyone turned.
A tall, silver-haired man stood beneath the flickering lights.
He wore an expensive dark suit.
His face was older, but Frank recognized the flickering lights.
He wore an expensive dark suit.
His face was older, but Frank recognized the eyes immediately.
The same eyes he had seen across the dinner table as a child eyes immediately.
The same eyes he had seen across the dinner table as a child.
The same eyes from the family photographs.
The man smiled.
“It's been a long time, son.
The same eyes from the family photographs.
The man smiled.
“It's been a long time, son.””
Frank couldn't move.
Daniel stepped in front of their mother.
And the man spoke again.
“Now, before anyone does.””
Frank couldn't move.
Daniel stepped in front of their mother.
And the man spoke again.
“Now, before anyone does anything foolish, I think we should discuss what really happened to your father.””
Frank stared anything foolish, I think we should discuss what really happened to your father.””
Frank stared at him.
Because the man standing in front of them was supposed to have been dead for twenty-five years.
It was their father.
And he was holding a photograph at him.
Because the man standing in front of them was supposed to have been dead for twenty-five years.
It was their father.
May you like
And he was holding a photograph of Lily.
of Lily.
