Chapter 12 - The Hospital Vigil
The sterile hum of the intensive care unit at Albany Medical Center was a world away from the howling winds of the Catskills. Through the glass partition, Julian watched the steady, rhythmic spike of the heart monitor next to Olivia's bed.
He was dressed in clean hospital scrubs, his forearm stitched and bandaged, while Lucy slept peacefully in a recliner beside him, clutching a stuffed bear the nurses had provided.
A knock sounded at the door. Detective Miller of the State Police stepped in, holding a thick manila dossier.
""Mr. Vance,"" Miller said in a hushed tone. ""We processed the scene at the cabin and the ravine.""
Julian turned, his eyes shadowed with fatigue. ""Did you find her body?""
Miller hesitated, looking down at his notes. ""We found the impact site. Broken branches, significant blood evidence consistent with a seventy-foot fall. But the body wasn't there.""
Julian stood up abruptly, a chill creeping down his spine. ""What do you mean it wasn't there?""
""A set of snowmobile tracks originated from the private logging road two hundred yards south of the ravine,"" Miller explained grimly. ""Someone was waiting for her. We found Victoria's shredded coat, but she was extracted. Whether she survived the night with those injuries is an entirely different matter.""
Julian looked back at Olivia. Her chest rose and fell beneath the respirator. The doctors had confirmed high levels of thallium in her bloodstream, matching Victoria's confession. The antidote protocol had begun, but the organ damage was severe.
""She knew,"" Julian whispered. ""Victoria knew everything was collapsing. She had an extraction team on standby.""
""We've frozen all Hale International assets,"" Detective Miller assured him. ""Her father has been detained for questioning regarding the forged trust documents. She has no money, no passport, and the FBI has issued a red notice. She’s a ghost, Mr. Vance.""
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""A ghost is dangerous because she has nothing left to lose,"" Julian replied.
Suddenly, the monitor beside Olivia's bed began to emit a rapid, frantic beep. The line on the screen spiked erratically. Olivia’s eyes flew open, wide with sheer terror, her fingers convulsing against the white sheets.
