Chapter 11 - The Country Club
Police entered the abandoned country club twenty-three minutes later.
The ground floor was empty.
Vane’s SUV stood behind the building with the engine running.
Blood was visible on the back seat, but there was no body.
A hidden door led beneath the kitchen.
Officers found rope, medical supplies, and Emily’s damaged phone.
The live recorder signal had moved again.
Cole had abandoned the vehicle before police arrived.
Security footage showed him forcing Emily into a utility truck.
She was conscious.
Her left arm hung unnaturally at her side, but she was walking.
The truck headed toward the Connecticut River.
Margaret watched the footage on a secure feed.
Brad stood behind her.
“She’s alive,” he whispered.
Margaret turned.
“You do not get relief yet.”
“I never wanted this.”
“You forged her signature.”
“I wanted the company.”
“You helped create the danger.”
Brad looked toward his mother.
Mrs. Gable would not meet his eyes.
That silence told him something.
“You knew Cole hated Emily.”
Mrs. Gable answered calmly.
“I knew he was useful.”
Brad’s face broke.
“You handed her to him.”
May you like
“I corrected your weakness.”
Margaret saw Brad understand that his mother had never intended to return Emily safely.
