Chapter 12
Before Toby could squeeze his small frame through the narrow iron grate of the coal chute, the heavy wooden door at the opposite end of the cellar groaned loudly. A beam of blinding white light cut through the gloom, sweeping across the rows of empty wine casks.
"Mr. and Mrs. Miller," Mr. Vance’s cold, echoing voice bounced off the damp stone walls. "Playing hide and seek in the foundations is terribly unbecoming of guests."
Sarah gasped, instantly pulling Toby backward off the crate and shielding him behind her skirts. David stepped in front of them both, picking up a heavy iron wrench from a nearby workbench, his knuckles white as he braced for the confrontation.
Heavy footsteps crunched rapidly across the stone floor. Mr. Vance emerged from the shadows, flanked by two other security operatives in dark tactical gear. Dr. Sterling strolled slowly behind them, holding a small leather medical case, looking entirely unruffled by the subterranean pursuit.
"You really didn't think you could outsmart the Lilywood Trust, did you, David?" Dr. Sterling asked, his tone laced with condescending amusement. "The estate is designed to contain its own problems. The boy belongs with us."
"Stay away from him!" David yelled, swinging the heavy iron wrench as Vance stepped forward. Vance easily sidestepped the clumsy blow, striking David sharply across the jaw with the back of his hand. David staggered backward, crashing against a stack of wooden crates that collapsed in a loud shower of splintered wood and dust.
"David!" Sarah screamed, rushing to his side as he spat a mouthful of blood onto the stone floor.
Mr. Vance didn't hesitate. He reached out, grabbing Toby gently but firmly by the arm, lifting the crying boy up off his feet despite his desperate thrashing. "Quiet down, little man. Time for your evaluation in the east wing."
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"Mommy! Daddy! Help me!" Toby cried out, his voice echoing desperately against the vaulted brick ceiling as Vance carried him effortlessly toward the cellar stairs.
Sarah scrambled to her feet, lunging after them, but one of the tactical operatives stepped directly into her path, blocking her way with an immovable wall of body armor. Tears streamed freely down Sarah’s face, her floral dress stained with cellar dust and blood. David pulled himself up, his vision swimming, his chest heaving with a desperate, impotent rage as they watched their son carried away into the dark labyrinth of the mansion.
