Chapter 13 - Maya’s Countermove
Emily blamed herself for leaving the hospital.
Then a nurse found Maya’s phone hidden inside the bathroom vent.
A video was recording.
Maya had started it when a hospital administrator entered her room claiming there was a fire drill.
The video showed Maya being placed in a wheelchair.
As she was pushed through the hallway, she secretly aimed the camera at passing signs.
South elevator.
Laundry level.
Ambulance bay.
Then the image shifted to the inside of a van.
A man’s voice said, “Take her to the river house.”
Maya had left a trail.
Ortiz traced the vehicle through traffic cameras.
The river house belonged to a shell company controlled by Celia Voss.
Emily and Ortiz drove behind a tactical unit.
Inside the house, Maya sat tied to a chair beside Margaret.
Despite her weakness, Maya had worked one hand partly free.
Margaret stared at her granddaughter with tears in her eyes.
“You have Emily’s courage.”
Maya shook her head.
“My mom has my courage.”
Captain Reed entered with Lauren Vale.
Lauren’s face was bruised.
She had tried to run after learning Maya might die.
Reed demanded the location of Margaret’s ledger.
Margaret refused.
He struck the table beside Maya.
“Then the girl pays.”
Maya looked frightened, but she noticed Reed had placed his phone near the edge.
She kicked the table.
The phone fell.
Lauren grabbed it and ran into the bathroom, locking the door.
Reed chased her.
Maya freed her hand and pulled the alarm cord connected to a medical monitor.
The loud signal helped police identify the correct room.
Windows shattered as officers entered.
Reed fired toward them.
Ortiz shot him in the shoulder.
Emily ran to Maya and Margaret.
Celia escaped through a tunnel beneath the house, but Lauren was rescued with Reed’s phone.
On it were messages proving Robert knew about Maya’s second abduction.
Robert had offered to tell Reed where Margaret’s ledger was hidden.
His final message read:
May you like
Emily carries it every day without knowing.
👉 Robert believed the missing ledger had been in Emily’s possession all along—and Margaret finally revealed where she had hidden it.
