Chapter 10 - The Poisoned Well
The alarm bells throughout the Vance estate began to wail, a shrill, piercing klaxon that tore through the pre-dawn stillness.
Floodlights bathed the courtyard in blinding white brilliance.
Clara did not run for the perimeter gates; she knew the iron gates were locked and guarded by German Shepherds.
Her destination remained the third floor.
She ascended the back stairs three steps at a time, her lungs burning, her heart slamming against her ribs like a caged bird.
Reaching the nursery corridor, she found the two guards sprawled unconscious on the runner, empty coffee thermoses rolling across the floor.
Mrs. Gable stood near the doorway, holding a heavy brass fire iron with grim determination.
"I put horse tranquilizer in their night brew," the old woman said briskly, not breaking a sweat.
"Get inside."
Clara burst into the nursery.
Leo was on the floor, shaking violently, clutching his small stomach as beads of cold sweat rolled down his forehead.
On the bedside table sat an empty glass of warm milk—the glass Victoria had insisted on sending up earlier that evening.
"Leo!" Clara fell to her knees, gathering the shivering child into her arms.
The boy’s lips were pale blue, his skin clammy and cold.
"She dosed him," Clara gasped, looking up at Mrs. Gable in horror.
"Victoria dosed him to keep him unconscious through the morning summit."
"The doctor’s car is parked at the private airfield," Mrs. Gable said urgently.
"He has the antidote in his emergency kit."
"They are planning to fly the boy out to an offshore clinic if the trustees question his condition."
Clara lifted Leo, wrapping him tightly in a heavy woolen blanket.
The boy weakly reached up, his tiny, freezing hand finding Clara’s cheek.
"Mama," he croaked, the sound barely audible over the screaming alarms outside.
It was the first word he had spoken in eight months.
A single tear cut through the grime on Clara’s face as she held him tighter.
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"Hold onto me, baby," she whispered fiercely.
"Hold on tight, because Mama is taking you home tonight."
