Chapter 6 - Room 412
Grayhaven sat behind stone walls thirty miles outside the city.
Officially, it was a private treatment center for executives and wealthy families.
Unofficially, Daniel now wondered how many people had gone through its doors under false names.
Detective Morris refused to let him storm the place.
"We get a warrant."
"My wife may be in Room 412."
"And if you rush in, they move her before we can prove anything."
Daniel hated that she was right.
Maya gave them the missing piece.
"Claire used her mother's maiden name sometimes. Bennett."
Morris searched state medical billing records.
A patient named C. Bennett had been admitted to Grayhaven on March fourteenth.
No discharge date.
Daniel stared at the screen.
"She's there."
"Maybe."
"She called me."
Morris obtained the warrant by evening.
They entered Grayhaven just after midnight with state investigators.
Dr. Harold Voss met them in the lobby wearing a silk tie and an offended expression.
"This is outrageous."
"Room 412," Morris said.
"Empty."
Daniel moved toward the elevator.
Voss stepped in front of him.
"Mr. Carter, your wife suffered a severe psychiatric break."
Daniel stopped.
"So she was here."
Voss realized his mistake.
Morris smiled without warmth.
"Thank you, Doctor."
Room 412 was empty.
The bed was stripped.
A nurse claimed C. Bennett had been transferred that afternoon.
"Where?"
"I don't know."
Daniel searched the room.
Nothing.
Then he saw scratches on the underside of the bedside table.
Words.
NOAH 11. LILY 8. EMMA 10 MONTHS.
Claire had written the children's ages.
Below them:
DANIEL, I DID NOT LEAVE YOU.
His vision blurred.
Morris opened the closet.
Inside was a red wool coat.
Claire's.
The coat pocket contained a folded transfer form.
Destination:
ST. MARLOWE RECOVERY ANNEX.
Transfer approved by emergency family representative:
VANESSA HALE.
May you like
The date was today.
And the transport vehicle had left Grayhaven twenty-seven minutes earlier.
