Chapter 4 - Shadows in the Manor
Eleanor jammed the notebook and the cassette into her trench coat pocket, snapping the Walkman off. The heavy footsteps paused right outside the bedroom door. The brass doorknob turned slowly, rattling against the lock she had had the presence of mind to turn behind her.
""Eleanor?"" Julian's voice resonated through the thick mahogany, smooth and deceptively gentle. ""I saw your car in the driveway. It’s past three in the morning. Open the door, darling. We need to talk.""
Eleanor looked around the room, heart hammering against her ribs. The window led to a narrow stone balcony, slick with early morning dew. Below was the rose garden trellis.
""I’m just gathering some of Clara’s things, Julian,"" she answered, trying to keep the tremor from her voice. ""Give me a moment.""
""Open the door, Eleanor,"" he repeated, his tone dropping an octave, shedding every pretense of warmth. ""I know what you're looking for. And I know you found it.""
The wood groaned as Julian threw his shoulder against the door. The ancient frame cracked.
Eleanor didn't hesitate. She unlatched the heavy French doors, stepped into the freezing night air, and climbed over the stone balustrade. Her boots caught the sturdy ironwork of the rose trellis. Above her, the bedroom door gave way with a violent crash. Julian’s silhouette appeared on the balcony, leaning over the ledge just as her boots touched the damp earth below.
""Eleanor! Stop running!"" he hissed into the darkness. ""You don't understand what’s at stake! If the syndicate discovers the boy is alive, none of us survive the week!""
Eleanor sprinted across the lawn toward the shadows of the carriage house, where her estate car was parked. She leapt inside, locked the doors, and slammed the accelerator just as two private security guards hired by Julian emerged from the main gate. The heavy iron gates were swinging shut, but Eleanor hit them at full speed, shearing the lock with a screech of twisted metal.
Speeding into the highway fog, Eleanor dialed Dr. Marcus on her burner phone.
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""Marcus,"" she breathed, wiping sweat from her forehead. ""The DNA test. Do you have the preliminary markers?""
""Eleanor, get back to the hospital immediately,"" Marcus’s voice was strained, breathless with panic. ""The boy... three men showing federal credentials just forced their way into the pediatric ward. They’re taking him!""
