Chapter 13: The Road to the Hospital
### Chapter 13: The Road to the Hospital
Everything happened at once.
Sarah stood frozen.
Water continued pooling around her feet.
Her breathing became shallow.
Another contraction tightened across her abdomen.
She grabbed the edge of the table.
Arthur was beside her instantly.
"Easy."
"Just breathe."
Sarah nodded.
But fear had already replaced every other thought.
"It's too early."
Dr. Carter had expected another three weeks.
Three more weeks for the baby to grow.
Three more weeks to recover from the fall.
Now...
None of that mattered.
---
Thomas returned with towels.
Sergeant Reyes spoke rapidly into her radio.
"We need an ambulance immediately."
"Eight-month pregnant female."
"High-risk patient."
"Possible premature labor."
Arthur helped Sarah sit carefully.
She clutched his arm.
"What if she's hurt?"
Arthur understood without asking.
She wasn't talking about herself.
Only the baby.
"You heard Dr. Carter."
"Her heartbeat was strong."
Sarah nodded weakly.
"But after the fall..."
Arthur squeezed her hand.
"She's a fighter."
"Just like her mother."
---
Miles away...
Dr. Emily Carter's phone rang.
She answered immediately.
"Dr. Carter."
A nurse spoke quickly.
"Sarah Vance is in labor."
Emily stood so abruptly her chair rolled backward.
"What?"
"She's being transported now."
Emily didn't hesitate.
"I'm on my way."
She grabbed her coat.
Her car keys.
Then called the maternity unit.
"Prepare Operating Room Two."
"Notify neonatal intensive care."
"And call every senior obstetrician available."
---
Outside the farmhouse...
The ambulance arrived in less than seven minutes.
Paramedics hurried inside.
Sarah tried standing.
Another contraction bent her forward.
Arthur caught her before she could fall.
One paramedic smiled reassuringly.
"We've got you."
They carefully transferred her onto the stretcher.
The baby monitor was attached immediately.
Everyone held their breath.
A rapid heartbeat filled the room.
Strong.
Steady.
Sarah cried with relief.
"That's her."
The paramedic smiled.
"She's letting everyone know she's still here."
---
As the ambulance doors closed...
Sergeant Reyes noticed something.
A black SUV.
Parked far beyond the tree line.
Almost invisible.
Its engine started the moment the ambulance pulled away.
She narrowed her eyes.
"There."
Arthur followed her gaze.
The SUV slowly joined the road.
Keeping its distance.
Following.
Arthur's expression hardened.
"They found us again."
Reyes reached for her radio.
"Unit Seven."
"I need two patrol cars."
"Escort the ambulance."
"Possible surveillance vehicle."
---
The convoy moved quickly toward the city.
Rain clouds gathered overhead.
Sarah lay on the stretcher.
Holding Arthur's hand.
Between contractions...
She whispered,
"If something happens..."
Arthur interrupted immediately.
"Nothing's going to happen."
She smiled sadly.
"You don't know that."
He leaned closer.
"I know James trusted me."
"I know your daughter needs you."
"And I know you're getting through this."
Sarah closed her eyes.
Trying to believe him.
---
Several miles behind...
The black SUV remained in traffic.
Inside...
Two men watched the ambulance.
The driver spoke first.
"Should we move now?"
The passenger calmly shook his head.
"No."
"The hospital is easier."
"More exits."
"More confusion."
The driver smiled.
"Understood."
---
At the abandoned warehouse...
Richard Collins sat slumped in the chair.
Bruised.
Exhausted.
Bleeding.
The mysterious man entered once again.
A phone rested in his hand.
"They've left the farmhouse."
Richard looked up.
"Leave them alone."
The man ignored him.
Instead...
He made a phone call.
"They're ten minutes away."
A pause.
"No mistakes."
Another pause.
"The child must not leave that hospital."
Richard struggled violently against the ropes.
"You monster!"
The man calmly ended the call.
Then looked at Richard.
"You still think this is about revenge."
"It isn't."
"It's about succession."
Richard stared.
"What does that mean?"
The man smiled.
"You'll understand soon enough."
---
At County Memorial Hospital...
Doctors and nurses were already waiting outside the emergency entrance.
Dr. Emily Carter rushed through the automatic doors just as the ambulance arrived.
Sarah saw her familiar face.
Relief flooded through her.
"Emily..."
The doctor gently touched her shoulder.
"I'm here."
"I won't leave you."
Sarah nodded.
Another contraction struck.
Harder.
Emily looked at the monitor.
Then at the paramedic.
"How far apart?"
"Three minutes."
Emily's expression changed instantly.
"We don't have much time."
---
Arthur followed the stretcher.
But before entering the maternity ward...
Two hospital security officers stopped him.
"Family only."
Arthur immediately answered,
"I'm her legal guardian."
Before security could respond...
Emily turned around.
"He stays."
The officers stepped aside.
---
Meanwhile...
Sergeant Reyes remained outside.
Watching every vehicle entering the parking garage.
Her instincts refused to settle.
She requested additional officers.
Plainclothes detectives.
Hospital security.
Every entrance.
Every exit.
She didn't know exactly what was coming.
Only that something was.
---
Inside the maternity ward...
Emily completed another examination.
Her face remained calm.
But Arthur noticed the concern in her eyes.
"What is it?"
Emily answered honestly.
"Sarah's progressing much faster than expected."
Sarah looked frightened.
"The baby?"
Emily smiled reassuringly.
"Her heartbeat is still excellent."
"But..."
Arthur frowned.
"But what?"
Emily lowered her voice.
"We may not be able to stop this labor."
Sarah instinctively held her stomach.
"She's coming today."
Emily nodded gently.
"Yes."
---
Just then...
One of the maternity nurses entered.
Holding a large bouquet of white lilies.
"They just arrived."
Emily frowned.
"From whom?"
The nurse checked the card.
"It doesn't say."
Arthur's eyes narrowed.
"Who delivered them?"
"The front reception."
Emily immediately stepped closer.
"Don't bring them into this room."
The nurse looked confused.
"They're just flowers."
Arthur carefully removed the small envelope attached to the bouquet.
Inside...
There was only one sentence.
Congratulations on your daughter.
We'll be waiting.
No signature.
No name.
Arthur slowly folded the card.
His face turned pale.
Someone already knew...
The baby was a girl.
Information that had never been released outside the delivery room.
Someone inside the hospital...
Was working with them.
Arthur looked toward Sergeant Reyes through the glass doors.
Then whispered,
May you like
"They're already here."
To be continued...
