Chapter 2 - Simone’s Double Game
Mae slipped out of the supply room, letting the heavy door click softly into place behind her.
Through the thin wall, Leah heard Mae's loud, authoritative voice cut through the corridor. "Mr. Carver! Mrs. Carver! You cannot be in this hallway during shift change. I need you to step back to the main waiting lounge immediately."
"Where is my wife's baby?" Doreen demanded. "And where is Dr. Rusk?"
"Dr. Rusk was called to an emergency C-section in Operating Room 3," Mae lied smoothly. "Please, wait in the lobby."
As the footsteps retreated down the hall, Leah unlocked the wheels of the bassinet, took Leo gently into her arms, wrapped him in two thick flannel blankets, and pushed open the supply room door.
The hallway was momentarily empty, illuminated by the harsh blue glow of night lights.
Leah rushed toward the stairwell door, but as she reached it, a hand suddenly grabbed her elbow from the shadow of Room 402.
Leah gasped, instinctively turning her shoulder to shield her baby.
Standing before her was Simone—her roommate from the observation ward, still wearing her luxurious silk robe. But Simone wasn't holding a phone or taking photos. Her eyes were sharp, calculating, and completely alert.
"Don't scream," Simone whispered rapidly, sliding a small USB drive into the pocket of Leah’s hospital gown.
"What is this?" Leah stammered, her heart hammering against her ribs.
"Dr. Rusk isn't just taking your baby for Doreen," Simone revealed quickly. "Briar Glen is an illegal private adoption hub for wealthy elite families. Doreen paid Rusk two hundred thousand dollars under the table to fabricate your medical records. I’m an undercover investigative journalist with the Chicago Tribune. That drive contains Rusk’s encrypted financial records."
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Leah stared at her in shock. "The wellness retreat... your phone calls..."
"All a cover to monitor Rusk," Simone said, pushing open the heavy emergency stairwell door. "Go! Now! Take the basement exit before Rusk realizes her office computer was breached!"
