Marcus: How much further, Clara?
Clara: Just two blocks down, near the old brick warehouse. The shelter is on the third floor of the Saint Jude building.
The police cruiser and Marcus's SUV pulled up alongside the curb in a dark, rain-slicked alleyway. Rain began to patter against the windshield as Marcus leapt out of the car, carrying Toby in his arms while Officer Miller and three cops followed close behind.
Marcus: Stay close to me, Toby.
Toby: Is Mommy going to be happy to see us?
Marcus: She's going to be safe, Toby. That's all that matters now.
They took the rickety wooden stairs up to the third floor. The hallway was dimly lit by a single flickering bulb, smelling of floor cleaner and old paint. Clara stopped in front of Room 304, taking a deep breath before tapping gently on the thin wooden panel.
Clara: Sarah? It's Clara... I brought someone who needs to see you.
Inside the room, quick footsteps sounded against the linoleum floor, followed by the slide of a heavy security chain.
Voice: Clara? I told you not to come back here late at night, it's not safe—
The door swung open, and the woman froze mid-sentence.
She wore a simple grey sweater and dark jeans. Her hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail, and right above her left eyebrow was a small, pale scar. She looked exhausted and thin, but her brown eyes were unmistakably real.
Marcus: Sarah...
Sarah: Marcus...? Oh my God... Marcus!
She let out a choked sob and threw her arms around his neck, burying her face into his tuxedo jacket. Marcus pulled her close, holding her so tightly he could feel her heart racing against his chest.
Marcus: You're alive... You're really alive!
Sarah: I thought you were dead! Vanessa told me you died in the hospital after the crash!
Marcus: What?! She told you I was dead?!
Sarah: Toby! My baby!
Sarah dropped to her knees on the floor, pulling Toby into a fierce hug as tears streamed down her cheeks. Toby wrapped his small arms around her neck, smiling as he squeezed his eyes shut.
Toby: I knew you weren't in the ground, Mommy! I told Uncle Marcus!
Sarah: My brave little boy... I missed you so much!
Officer Miller: Mrs. Sterling, I'm Chief Miller with the city police department. We need to know exactly what happened on the night of that accident.
Sarah: It wasn't an accident, Officer. Vanessa cut the brake lines on our car.
Marcus gasped, his fists clenching at his sides as cold fury washed over him.
Marcus: She tried to kill us both?!
Sarah: Yes! After the crash, I woke up in a private clinic in the woods. Vanessa was standing over my bed. She told me you were dead, and that if I ever returned to the city, she would kill Toby too!
Marcus: She forced you into hiding to take control of the family estate trust...
Sarah: She made me sign a document relinquishing my rights, but I managed to escape from that clinic three weeks ago. I didn't have any money, so I gave my ring to Clara so she could help her sick brother and give me a place to sleep.
Officer Miller: That's enough for a federal charge of attempted murder, kidnapping, and extortion. We have squad cars surrounding the Sterling estate right now.
Marcus: She's not at the estate, Officer. She's still at the ballroom trying to clear out the offshore bank accounts.