Chapter 2 - The Hospital Doctors Saved Belle's Life—Then Security Found Footage of Someone Inside Harlan's Home Carrying Her AwayBelle's heart stabilized after two hours.

That was the first good news.

The second wasn't good at all.

Her bloodwork showed traces of a medication she wasn't supposed to have taken.

A beta-blocker.

Too much.

Not enough to kill a healthy adult.

Enough to endanger a six-year-old with a congenital heart condition.

The ER doctor pulled Harlan aside.

I could see the conversation from the hallway.

Harlan's shoulders stiffened.

Then he looked toward me.

The doctor shook his head.

Harlan returned.

"What did you give her?"

"Nothing."

"You didn't give her water?"

"No."

"Food?"

"No."

He nodded.

"Good."

I crossed my arms.

"Do you suspect me?"

"No."

"Then why are you questioning me?"

"Because someone almost killed my daughter."

"Fair."

He stared.

"Why did she trust you?"

"I don't know."

"She doesn't trust strangers."

"Maybe she thought I was safe."

He looked at me.

"Why?"

"Because I wasn't the one trying to take her home."

That answer made his expression tighten.

He turned away.

A security officer approached.

"Boss."

Harlan followed him down the corridor.

I stayed near Belle's room.

I could see her through the glass.

Small.

Pale.

Connected to machines.

I had no idea why I cared so much.

I told myself it was because I worked in service.

You noticed people.

You helped.

That was all.

Then Harlan returned.

"We found something."

"What?"

"Security footage."

He opened a tablet.

The video showed the Voss mansion.

Timestamp.

7:16 p.m.

Belle walked into the foyer wearing her navy coat.

A woman approached her.

Belle smiled.

Then the woman took her hand.

They walked toward a side entrance.

I squinted.

"Who is that?"

Harlan's face hardened.

"Mrs. Grant."

"Who?"

"My daughter's governess."

The woman had worked for the Voss family for twelve years.

She had taught Belle to read.

She had helped raise her.

I looked at Harlan.

"She took your daughter?"

"We don't know."

The footage continued.

Mrs. Grant led Belle into a black vehicle.

Then another camera showed the vehicle leaving.

No struggle.

No screaming.

Belle had gone willingly.

That made Harlan look more frightened.

"She trusted her."

"Yes."

"Why would she take her?"

"I don't know."

The final camera showed the vehicle driving toward Detroit.

Then it disappeared.

Three hours later, Belle was found in the parking garage.

Alone.

Without Mrs. Grant.

And Mrs. Grant had not returned home.

Harlan made one call.

"Find her."

The security chief nodded.

"Dead or alive."

I stared at him.

"You think she did it."

"I think I don't know what she did."

The words surprised me.

He wasn't rushing to accuse anyone.

He was thinking.

Then Belle woke.

Harlan and I entered together.

Her eyes opened.

"Where's Ms. Grant?"

Harlan sat beside her.

"Do you remember?"

Belle nodded.

"She took me."

"Why?"

"She said we were going to see Daddy."

I looked at Harlan.

He asked:

"Did she say where?"

Belle shook her head.

"She said Daddy had a surprise."

"Did she give you the medicine?"

Belle nodded.

"She said it would make my heart quiet."

My stomach turned.

Harlan's hand curled into a fist.

"Who gave it to you?"

"Ms. Grant."

"Did anyone else know?"

Belle hesitated.

Then looked at me.

"Her."

"Who?"

"Aunt Lydia."

Harlan went still.

I looked at him.

"Who is Aunt Lydia?"

He didn't answer immediately.

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Then:

"My sister."