Chapter 9 - THE LAST MESSAGE FROM THEIR MOTHERLucie watched the gun pressed against Julien's head.
For a moment, the world narrowed to the screen.
She could see the exhaustion in his face.
The blood on his shirt.
The faint tremor in his hands.
But he wasn't begging.
He was watching her.
Waiting.
Trusting her to understand.
Bellamy's voice filled the corridor.
"You have five minutes."
Lucie looked at Valois.
"How long until the patient doors open?"
"Thirty seconds, if Julien's program works."
"And the security team?"
"At least six armed men."
Lucie looked toward the communication device.
"Contact Inspector Laurent."
Valois nodded.
While he worked, Lucie removed her mother's pendant.
Inside was the memory card Julien had given her.
She inserted it into a small reader attached to the maintenance computer.
A video file appeared.
The recording was dated four years earlier.
Her mother's face filled the screen.
Lucie stopped breathing.
Claire Serrano looked older than she remembered.
Her hair was streaked with gray.
But her eyes were warm.
"Lucie. Julien."
Her voice trembled.
"If you're watching this, I wish I could be there to hold you."
Lucie covered her mouth.
"I don't know what you've discovered," Claire continued, "but I know the people responsible will try to make you believe that doing the right thing is impossible."
She paused.
"Don't believe them."
Tears streamed down Lucie's face.
Claire continued.
"Years ago, I worked at Saint Agnes. I believed we were helping families. When I discovered what was happening, I reported it."
Her expression darkened.
"Antoine Bellamy offered me money to stay silent. When I refused, he threatened your father."
Lucie remembered her father's quiet sadness during the final years of his life.
She had never understood it.
"I was afraid," Claire said. "I made choices I regret. I trusted people who didn't deserve it."
Her voice broke.
"But I never regretted protecting you."
The video shifted.
Claire held up a folder.
"Everything I collected is stored in three places. One copy is with Étienne Valois. One is hidden inside the old family house. And the third is held by someone Bellamy cannot easily reach."
Lucie leaned forward.
Claire named a woman.
"Inspector Camille Laurent."
Valois looked up sharply.
"She kept her promise."
The video continued.
"If Bellamy is still operating, Camille will know what to do."
Claire smiled sadly.
"And remember something, my children. Justice isn't revenge. Justice means making sure the people who suffered are finally seen."
The recording ended.
Lucie remained motionless.
Then the communication device beeped.
A woman's voice answered.
"Inspector Laurent."
Valois spoke quickly.
"Camille, it's Étienne."
A pause.
Then:
"Tell me you finally found the courage to call."
"We need help."
"Where?"
"Montferrand. Building D."
The line went silent.
Then Laurent said, "I've been waiting for that name for twenty years."
Lucie took the device.
"My name is Lucie Serrano."
"I know who you are."
"My brother is being held at gunpoint."
"I know that too."
Lucie froze.
"How?"
Laurent's voice hardened.
"Because your mother gave me enough evidence to begin an investigation. I've been building a case ever since."
"Then send help."
"It's already on the way."
Lucie looked at the screen.
Bellamy was watching the countdown.
"How long?"
"Twenty minutes."
Lucie's heart sank.
"We don't have twenty minutes."
Laurent paused.
"Then you'll have to keep him talking."
"How?"
"Ask Bellamy about his daughter."
Lucie frowned.
"His daughter?"
"Her name was Elise."
"What happened to her?"
Laurent's voice softened.
"She died at Saint Agnes."
Lucie looked toward Bellamy's image.
"And he blames my mother?"
"No."
Laurent took a breath.
May you like
"HE BLAMES JULIEN."
End of Chapter 9 — Cliffhanger: Bellamy's obsession with Julien is tied to the death of his daughter, a tragedy that occurred decades earlier.
Related Stories
