Chapter 7 - THE EMPTY ROOM
Roberto reached the second floor in less than thirty seconds.
Sofía’s bedroom was empty.
Her stuffed rabbit lay on the floor.
The window was closed.
Her cane was gone.
María stood in the hallway crying.
“I went downstairs for her lunch.”
“She was here.”
“When I came back—”
Roberto gripped her shoulders.
“Where is Vanessa?”
María looked toward the staircase.
“Gone too.”
Security sealed the gates.
Tomas checked every camera.
A black SUV had left the property twelve minutes earlier.
The driver had authorization.
Vanessa’s authorization.
Roberto called her.
No answer.
Again.
No answer.
Then a text arrived.
SOFÍA IS SAFE.
SHE NEEDS PROFESSIONAL HELP.
DO NOT MAKE THIS WORSE.
Roberto stared at the screen.
Marcus entered the security room.
“I found the vehicle.”
“Where?”
“Heading north.”
Tomas enlarged the GPS feed.
Vanessa had forgotten that every company vehicle carried a hidden secondary tracker.
The SUV was moving toward Westchester.
Roberto grabbed his coat.
Marcus stopped him.
“Police are already involved.”
“I’m going.”
“Then don’t go alone.”
Twenty-five minutes later they pulled into the parking lot of a private psychiatric clinic.
Roberto recognized the name immediately.
Silver Pines Behavioral Center.
Vanessa had mentioned it twice in previous months.
She had described it as an elite residential program for visually impaired children with emotional disorders.
Roberto had rejected the suggestion.
Vanessa had apparently made another plan.
He entered the lobby.
Vanessa stood beside the reception desk.
Sofía sat in a chair several feet away.
Her hands were folded tightly in her lap.
A nurse stood beside her.
Roberto crossed the room.
“Daddy?”
Sofía stood immediately.
Vanessa stepped between them.
“Don’t.”
Roberto stared at her.
“Move.”
“You’re proving my point.”
“What point?”
“That you’re unstable.”
She lifted a document.
“I have temporary medical authorization.”
Roberto took it.
His signature appeared at the bottom.
He had never signed that document.
“It’s forged.”
Vanessa’s expression did not change.
“You should be careful making accusations.”
Roberto looked at the clinic director.
“That child leaves with me now.”
The director raised both hands.
“Mr. Salazar, we have conflicting legal documents.”
“Call my attorney.”
Vanessa smiled faintly.
“Which one?”
The words were designed to wound.
They did.
Sebastian had helped create this nightmare.
But Vanessa had made one mistake.
She underestimated Sofía.
The child suddenly spoke.
“She lied.”
Everyone looked at her.
Vanessa’s face tightened.
Sofía pointed toward her.
“She told the nurse I tried to hurt myself.”
Roberto felt ice move through him.
“Did you?”
“No.”
Sofía’s voice shook.
“She said if I told the truth, you would go to jail.”
Vanessa stepped forward.
“She’s confused.”
Sofía backed away.
“No.”
For the first time, her voice grew stronger.
“You said Daddy was sick.”
“You said soon he wouldn’t be allowed to make decisions.”
Vanessa’s mask cracked.
“Enough.”
Roberto moved between them.
“No.”
“Not enough.”
Police arrived minutes later.
Vanessa was not arrested.
Not yet.
The forged documents required investigation.
But Sofía left with Roberto.
Inside the car, she rested against him.
Halfway home she whispered, “Daddy?”
“Yes?”
“She took me somewhere else before the hospital.”
Roberto looked down.
“Where?”
“I don’t know.”
“But there was a man.”
“What man?”
“He smelled like your office.”
Roberto frowned.
“What does my office smell like?”
Sofía thought for a moment.
“Those cigars Uncle Sebastian smokes.”
Roberto stared out the window.
Sebastian had claimed Vanessa acted alone.
May you like
Sofía had just suggested otherwise.
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