Heavy rain slammed against the windshield of Arthur's dark SUV as three state police cruisers escorted him down the dark mountain highway toward Greenfield County.
In the back seat, Elena held a gentle ice pack against Lily's bandaged hair while Arthur gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white with tension.
Arthur: Is Lily doing okay back there, Elena?
Elena: Her pain medication is working now, Mr. Vance. She's resting quietly.
Lily: Daddy, are we almost at the building where Mommy is staying?
Arthur: We are turning into the driveway right now, sweetie. You are going to see your mother in just a few minutes.
The tall wrought-iron gates of St. Jude's Private Facility appeared through the torrential rain, locked tight with heavy iron chains.
Officer Hayes didn't hesitate. The front police cruiser accelerated forward, ramming directly through the iron gates with a deafening crunch of metal, allowing the convoy to sweep into the courtyard.
Police officers jumped out into the rain with flashlights drawn, surrounding the main brick entrance as sirens blared through the night air.
Officer Hayes: State Police! Open these doors immediately under emergency judicial search warrant!
A middle-aged man in a white lab coat opened the front glass doors, his hands trembling as flashlight beams blinded his eyes.
Director Miller: What is the meaning of this aggressive raid?! This is a private medical institution for high-net-worth clients!
Arthur: Where is my wife, Clara Vance?! Tell me right now or I will tear this entire building apart brick by brick!
Director Miller: Sir, I cannot discuss confidential patient records without signed paperwork from Mrs. Victoria Vance!
Officer Hayes: Victoria Vance is currently sitting in a jail cell facing forty years for kidnapping and attempted murder, Director Miller! If you don't lead us to Clara Vance this instant, you will be arrested as a co-conspirator!
Director Miller's face turned completely white. He backed up slowly, pulling a master keycard from his pocket with shaking fingers.
Director Miller: Room... Room 304 in the basement west wing. Please, I was only following the high-paying contract terms provided by Mrs. Vance!
Arthur: Move out of my way!
Arthur sprinted down the long tiled corridor, taking the concrete stairs three at a time until he reached the heavy steel security door marked Room 304.
He slammed Director Miller's keycard against the reader. The heavy lock unlatched, and Arthur threw the steel door wide open.
Sitting near a small barred window in a simple white dress was Clara. Her dark hair fell over her shoulders, her skin was pale, but her eyes were bright as she looked up in shock.
Arthur: Clara... Oh my God, Clara!
Clara: Arthur...? Is that really you...? Or am I having another hallucination...?
Arthur dropped to his knees right beside her chair, wrapping his arms around her waist and burying his face into her lap as heavy tears spilled from his eyes.
Arthur: It's really me, my love! I'm here! I'm so sorry it took me two years to find you!
Clara: Arthur! You're alive! Victoria told me you died in a plane crash two years ago!
Arthur: She lied to you about everything, Clara! She drugged you and hid you away from us so she could take control of your trust fund!
Clara: My baby girl... What about Lily?! Is my daughter okay?!
Lily: Mommy!
Lily ran through the doorway, throwing her small arms around Clara's neck. Clara burst into hysterical tears of joy, holding her daughter close against her chest and kissing her cheeks over and over again.
Clara: My baby! My sweet little Lily! I missed you every single second of my life!
Lily: I never forgot about you, Mommy! I found your papers and told Daddy the truth!
Clara: You saved my life, sweet girl. You saved us all.