Chapter 4 - The Cellar of Whispers
The sirens echoed through the rain-slicked streets of Boston as four Boston Police cruisers sped toward the Drummond Tower, but Edward did not wait for the arrests to be processed.
Leaving Marcus Vance to hand Julian over to the State Police detectives, Edward, Sophia, and Arthur Vance sped through the evening traffic toward the northern outskirts of the city.
The destination was a dilapidated, brick psychiatric facility known as Pine Valley Rest Home—a dark, forgotten building hidden behind thick pine trees in the town of Stoneham.
Four private security vehicles belonging to the Drummond estate slammed through the rusted front gates of the facility at six o'clock.
The facility’s chief administrator, a sweaty, balding man named Dr. Harold Croft, ran out into the dim lobby, his hands shaking as Edward Drummond swept past him like a dark storm.
“Mr. Drummond!” Croft stammered, trying to block the hallway. “This is a private medical facility! You have no legal authority to enter these quarters—”
Edward didn't even look at him. He simply raised his hand.
Arthur Vance, the city’s most feared corporate attorney, stepped forward, shoving a federal search warrant and an emergency court order signed by a Superior Court judge directly against Dr. Croft’s chest.
“Dr. Croft,” Arthur Vance said coldly. “You are currently named as a co-conspirator in an ongoing kidnapping, human trafficking, and attempted infanticide investigation. If you do not produce Lady Eleanor Drummond within thirty seconds, the State Police tactical unit sitting behind us will tear this building down brick by brick.”
Dr. Croft’s face turned grey. He dropped his keys onto the floor.
“Basement,” Croft squeaked. “Room B-12.”
Edward grabbed the heavy iron key ring from the floor and walked down the damp concrete stairs toward the lower levels of the facility. The air smelled of bleach, damp mold, and old despair.
Sophia held onto Edward’s coat sleeve, her little feet moving fast to keep up with his long strides.
“Are we going to find her?” Sophia asked softly.
“Yes,” Edward said, his voice thick with an emotion he hadn't felt in thirty years. “We are bringing her home.”
They reached Room B-12—a solid steel door with a small reinforced glass window.
Edward used the master key. The heavy lock clicked open with a rusty screech.
The room inside was tiny, cold, and lit by a single flickering fluorescent bulb. Sitting on the edge of a narrow metal cot, wrapped in a thin grey blanket, was Eleanor Drummond.
Her hands were thin, her skin pale, but as the door opened, she lifted her head. Her eyes—bright, fierce, undeniable Drummond blue—locked onto Edward’s face.
She stared at him for five long seconds. Then, a single tear cut through the dirt on her cheek.
“Edward?” she whispered, her voice barely a thread of sound.
Edward dropped his walking stick. He rushed across the small room, fell to his knees on the cold concrete floor, and wrapped his arms around his little sister.
“I’m here, El,” Edward sobbed, the iron man of Boston finally breaking, his broad shoulders shaking as he held her tight. “I’m here. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry I didn't find you sooner.”
Eleanor clung to his coat, burying her face into his neck. “My baby, Edward... Julian took my baby... he said he was going to destroy him—”
“He’s safe,” Edward promised, pulling back and looking into her face, taking her cold hands into his warm ones. “He’s safe, Eleanor. He’s at home in the mansion. A brave little girl found him.”
Eleanor looked past Edward’s shoulder, her eyes landing on Sophia standing in the doorway.
Sophia offered a small, shy wave. “He’s very loud,” Sophia whispered gently. “And he eats a lot of milk. But he’s really handsome.”
Eleanor let out a broken, watery laugh, extending her thin arm toward the child. “Come here, sweetheart.”
Sophia walked into the room and let the high-society lady wrap her in a warm, gentle hug.
“What is your name?” Eleanor asked.
May you like
“Sophia.”
“Sophia,” Eleanor repeated, kissing the girl’s forehead. “You didn't just find a baby. You saved our family.”
