Chapter 13 - The Reunion
An hour later, the elevator doors chimed once more.
Clara stepped out into the hallway.
She wore a worn denim jacket, her hair disheveled, tears pouring down her cheeks as she ran past the officers toward Room 402.
She threw the door open.
"Toby!" Clara sobbed out, dropping to her knees beside his hospital bed, gathering her twelve-year-old son into a fierce, desperate embrace.
"Mom!" Toby cried, wrapping his arms around her neck, burying his face in her shoulder. "I kept her safe, Mom! I kept Leo safe!"
Clara kissed his red hair over and over, weeping uncontrollably. "I know, baby... I know. You were so brave, my sweet boy. You saved us all."
I stood near the window, watching the mother and son hold each other, tears stinging my own eyes.
From the transport crib beside the bed, little Leo opened her dark eyes, letting out a soft, sweet coo.
Clara reached into the crib, lifting the baby girl into her arms, pressing the infant against her chest alongside Toby.
The family that a ruthless billionaire had tried to destroy, frame, and erase was standing together in the bright, clear light of the hospital room.
Detective Miller walked up beside me, handing me my heavy iron wrench from my car.
"Nice work with the glass, Sarah," Miller offered, a rare, warm smile touching his lips.
May you like
I looked at the steel tool in my hand, then at Toby smiling through his tears as his mother held his hand.
"It was never about the glass, Detective," I said softly.
