Chapter 5 - The Cabin by the Quabbin
At 9:15 PM, three dark vehicles pulled into the rear service lane of St. Jude Children’s Hospital: two unmarked Ford Explorers belonging to the Massachusetts State Police and a black Lincoln Navigator driven by Daniel Sterling’s personal security director.
Inside Room 412, Dr. Aris had finally arrived. He was a silver-haired pediatrician with forty years of floor experience, standing by the foot of Nicole’s bed with his stethoscope hanging around his neck.
"The child’s lungs are seventy percent clear," Dr. Aris said, looking over his reading glasses at Sterling. "Her hydration markers are back within normal parameters. Medically, I can discharge her into legal custody tonight if the emergency protective order is signed."
"It’s signed," Claire said, setting a stamped paper copy of the probate court order on the bedside table. "Temporary legal guardianship has been granted to Mr. Sterling pending a full custodial hearing on Friday."
Nicole looked from the doctor to Erin. "Am I going home?"
"You're coming with us to a safe place, Nicole," Erin said, kneeling beside her and helping her slip her thin arms into her faded denim jacket. "And Buddy is coming too."
The dog stood up immediately, his nails clicking against the floor as he shook his heavy coat, his tail wagging against the bedside table.
Erin walked out to the hallway with Sterling while Claire helped Nicole into a wheelchair.
"Where are you taking her?" Erin asked.
"My estate in Concord," Sterling said. "It has twenty-four-hour perimeter security and gated access. She will be entirely safe there."
"And her mother?" Erin asked, clutching her clipboard against her chest. "What about Sarah?"
"The State Police have already dispatched two units to a property near the Quabbin Reservoir," Sterling said, pulling a dark wool overcoat over his suit. "We found a short-term lease agreement executed three months ago under Sarah’s maiden name—a hunting cabin four miles off Route 202."
Erin looked down at her nursing badge, then at the small girl in the wheelchair being pushed through the doorway by Claire. Nicole was holding Buddy’s leash with one hand, her thumb still stroking the leather strap.
"I’m coming with you," Erin said.
Sterling paused, his hand on his briefcase handle. "Nurse Vance, your shift ended at seven o'clock. This is a criminal investigation now."
"I’ve been her primary nurse for eleven days, Mr. Sterling," Erin said, her voice level and firm. "She trusts three people right now: that dog, you, and me. If you take her to a high-security estate in Concord with armed guards, she’s going to be terrified. She needs someone who knows how to administer her secondary breathing treatments."
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Sterling looked at Erin for three long seconds. He evaluated the set of her jaw, the clean efficiency of her posture, and the clear, unyielding determination in her eyes.
"Five minutes," Sterling said. "Change out of your scrubs into street clothes. We leave through the basement bay."
