Chapter 9 - The Wrong Ambulance
Julian was ninety miles away when Victoria's security system went dark.
"Lock yourself in the upstairs safe room," he told her.
"The backup generator isn't starting."
"Don't go downstairs."
"I'm not."
A crash sounded through the phone.
Julian stopped breathing.
"Victoria?"
"Someone's at the kitchen door."
Naomi was already calling local police.
Ross pulled a pistol from beneath his jacket.
Julian stared at him.
"You brought a gun?"
"I've been hiding for four years. Of course I brought a gun."
At the house, Victoria moved slowly toward the safe room, one hand on the wall, one on her belly.
The baby kicked hard.
Then came another crash.
Glass.
A man's voice downstairs.
"Mrs. Vance? Police!"
She froze.
Julian's voice came through her phone.
"Don't answer. Police are still six minutes out."
The man downstairs called again.
"Mrs. Vance, we received an emergency medical call."
Victoria looked toward the staircase.
"Medical?"
"Don't move," Julian said.
Then her abdomen tightened.
She gasped.
"Julian."
"What?"
"Contraction."
"How bad?"
"Bad."
The fake officer heard her.
Footsteps started up the stairs.
Victoria stumbled into the safe room and hit the lock.
Seconds later, someone slammed a shoulder against the door.
"Mrs. Vance, open up! We need to take you to the hospital."
She backed away.
"Who called you?"
No answer.
Another hit.
The reinforced door held.
Then the man said something that made her blood turn cold.
"Your mother-in-law said the baby is in distress."
Victoria covered her mouth.
Julian heard it through the phone.
"I'm coming home."
"You're too far."
"Police are almost there."
Sirens finally rose outside.
The pounding stopped.
Footsteps ran down the hall.
By the time officers entered, the intruder was gone.
But he had left something behind.
A medical transport bag near the kitchen door.
Inside were restraints.
A sedative.
And transfer papers authorizing Victoria's admission to a private psychiatric facility.
The signature at the bottom was Julian's.
It was perfect.
May you like
Except for one detail.
The date was tomorrow.
