Chapter 7 - The Illusion of Death|
The plan was insane, but it was the only way to protect Lily and trap Daniel. Carter used his military clearance to bypass standard hospital protocols. By 8:00 AM, he had arranged for a covert transfer.
“We’re moving you to a secure private clinic outside the city,” Carter explained, handing me a set of scrubs to change into. “To the rest of the world, including Daniel, you’ve been transferred to the ICU in a medically induced coma.”
“Will the hospital staff play along?” I asked, my hands trembling as I pulled the scrub top over my head.
“The Chief of Medicine owes me his life from our tour in Afghanistan. He’s handling the paperwork himself. Your room will have a 'No Visitors' sign with a guard posted, but the bed will be empty.”
My heart ached with a sudden, violent realization. “Lily. What about Lily? If Daniel thinks I’m dying, he’ll tell her!”
“I have someone watching Lily’s school,” Carter promised. “She is safe. But we need Daniel to think he’s won. We need him to make a mistake.”
Just before I was wheeled out the back service elevator, Carter’s phone buzzed. He looked at the screen, and a dark smile crossed his face.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Daniel,” Carter replied. “He just called the hospital trying to get your medical records released to his insurance agent.”
I felt sick to my stomach. He couldn't even wait 24 hours. He was already trying to cash in on my life.
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“Let’s go,” I said, a new fire igniting in my chest. The fear was burning away, leaving behind a cold, sharp rage. “I want to see him burn.”
We slipped out through the loading dock and into an unmarked black SUV. As the hospital disappeared in the rearview mirror, I knew I was leaving behind the weak, confused woman Daniel had created. I was going to war.
