Arthur drove the black car quickly down the long tree-lined highway toward the countryside away from town.
Clara sat in the front passenger seat while holding the navigation map steady inside her small hands.
The afternoon sun began to drop behind the tall pine trees, casting long dark shadows across the road.
Arthur: How far is this clinic from our current location Clara?
Clara: It is about forty minutes past the old river bridge sir.
Arthur pressed his foot down on the gas pedal as the high-powered car moved smoothly past traffic.
He reached into his pocket to feel the small silver locket sitting safely next to his leather wallet.
He thought back to the sunny day Lily was born in the private city hospital thirty years ago.
She had bright blue eyes and hair that matched his own shade of dark golden brown back then.
He remembered teaching her how to ride a small pink bicycle on the concrete driveway of their estate.
Arthur: Is she healthy Clara or is she sick in that place?
Clara: My sister says she is healthy but very quiet and scared.
Clara explained that Victoria visited the facility once every three months to check on the staff records.
Victoria paid extra cash to ensure Lily was never allowed outside the gated garden fences near the woods.
The clinic staff told local visitors that Lily was a distant relative with no remaining living family members.
Arthur: I will make sure everyone involved in this goes to prison!
Clara: We must be careful because Victoria has powerful lawyers on call.
Arthur dialed his family attorney on the hands-free phone speaker system inside the luxury automobile dashboard.
The attorney picked up the phone call on the second ring with a professional tone in his voice.
Attorney: Good afternoon Arthur, how can I help you today?
Arthur: Cancel the estate transfer documents we discussed last week immediately!
The attorney paused for a brief moment on the line before asking for clarification regarding the legal order.
Attorney: Are you sure sir, your wife said you wanted it finished today?
Arthur: Do not sign a single document until I meet you in court tomorrow!
Arthur hung up the phone line before the lawyer could ask any more confusing legal questions about it.
He turned the black automobile onto a quiet gravel road that led deep into a dark pine forest.
A high stone wall appeared ahead with rusty iron gates guarding the main entrance to Willow Pines.
Arthur: The gates are locked tight with an iron padlocked chain.
Clara: Drive around to the side delivery door near the kitchen.
Arthur steered the vehicle down a narrow dirt path hidden behind large green bushes along the fence line.
He parked the black car under a large oak tree where no lights would spot the bright metal frame.
They stepped out into the cool evening air while the wind blew softly through the tall pine trees.
Arthur felt his heart pounding hard inside his chest as they approached the quiet side entry door.
This was the moment he had prayed for every single night for twenty long agonizing years of grief.