Chapter Nine
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The drive to the Hale Institute stretched before them like a long, winding ribbon of two-lane blacktop.
The Texas Hill Country rolled past in swells of rugged beauty, twisted oaks, limestone outcroppings, pastures dotted with cattle and windmills.
The morning sun filtered through scattered clouds, giving the land a silvery glow, but Delaney felt no peace from it. Not today.
Eli had the wheel, his focus locked in, knuckles white on the steering wheel as the SUV ate up the miles.
They were still a good ways out from the institute when Delaney pulled out her phone and tapped Vivian’s number. She glanced at Eli. “Putting it on speaker.”
He nodded without looking away from the road.
Vivian answered on the second ring, her voice a little hoarse, “Delaney?”
“Yes. You still at the hospital?” she asked.
“I’m in the waiting area. The guards are making final arrangements now.” Vivian paused. “Is something wrong?”
Delaney dragged in a long breath. “We just learned that your father filed paperwork to have you declared legally incompetent. If it goes through, you could lose control over your finances and any guardianship over Ava.”
For a moment, there was only silence.
Then Vivian’s breath caught, sharp and ragged. “What?” Her voice rose, disbelief giving way to fury. “He’s doing what?”
“He filed the documents with the court this morning,” Delaney explained. “Our tech found them in the system. He’s trying to cut you out completely.”
“I don’t believe this,” Vivian spat out. “No. That manipulative bastard. After everything. He promised me he would stay out of it.”
Delaney glanced at Eli. His jaw was tight, his grip firm on the wheel.
“We had a deal,” Vivian went on, her voice shaking now. “I just worked it out with him last night. He told me that if I forced Grant into signing a prenuptial agreement, he’d step back. He said he wouldn’t try to control my life anymore.”
Delaney frowned. “Last night?”
“Yes,” Vivian verified. “He came to the hospital. We talked in private. He seemed… sincere.”
“Vivian, those court documents were filed this morning,” Delaney reminded her.
There was a long pause. “Then he was lying to me the entire time,” Vivian said, her voice barely above a whisper.
The whisper cracked into something darker, rawer.
“This is about Ava’s trust fund,” Vivian explained.
“It includes land. Old family land near Burnet. It’s been in the Melborne family for generations.
My father has always been obsessed with consolidating it.
Even when my mother was alive, he pressured her to sign over her share. Now he’s trying to do it through Ava.”
Delaney glanced at Eli again. He didn’t speak, but the look on his face said everything.
Vivian’s voice steadied with anger. “My father wants it all in his name. He wants control of that land, that trust. That’s what this has been about from the beginning. Not help. Not care. Just power. Possession.”
Delaney felt the truth of that settle like a stone in her chest. And Ava was still in the middle of it.
“I’ll contact my lawyers right now,” Vivian added a moment later. “Thank you both for the heads up.”
“Vivian,” Delaney said carefully, “will Grant sign that prenup?”
There was a pause. Vivian exhaled slowly. “I’m trying to work that out with him.”
Delaney shared a glance with Eli. “Do you trust him?” she came out and asked Vivian.
The silence stretched longer this time. Then Vivian muttered, “I’m not sure I can fully trust anyone.”
The line went dead.
Delaney lowered the phone and stared at the screen. “That wasn’t exactly reassuring.”
“No,” Eli said. “It wasn’t.”
Delaney stayed quiet as they continued the drive, her fingers tapping lightly against her thigh. The narrow road wound through thick trees and opened up to a wide clearing where the Hale Institute came into view.
A tall security gate stretched across the entrance, flanked by thick stone columns and high fencing. An armed guard stepped out of a small booth as they pulled up. His dark uniform bore the Hale Institute emblem, and his expression was cool, assessing.
Eli rolled down his window and handed over both of their IDs.
“We’re expected,” Eli informed him.
The guard scanned the IDs, gave a tight nod, and stepped back. “Go ahead. Drive straight in and park in the visitor lot. Enter the building through reception.”
The gate opened slowly, and Eli drove through.
It was a quarter-mile drive up a paved road lined with manicured hedges and rows of old oak trees.
The wide veranda that stretched across the front of the institute gave it a serene, curated appearance that didn’t sit right with Delaney. Too perfect. Too still.
Eli parked in a designated visitor space near the front, and they both stepped out, taking in their surroundings with several sweeping glances.
Delaney spotted a guard at the rear and another at the tree line on the side of the property.
She wondered if these were security measures added after Olivia’s escape.
“Activate body cam,” Eli muttered, and Delaney did the same.
Of course, nothing they recorded here could be used in court against Hale, but something might be heard or seen that could help them free Ava and get justice for Olivia.
Inside, the reception area was just as polished. Cool marble floors, soft lighting, and neutral-toned furniture that looked expensive and untouched. A young woman sat behind a sleek, curved desk. Her brown hair was pulled into a tight bun, and her smile looked practiced.
“Welcome to the Hale Institute,” she said. “Dr. Hale is expecting you. Please follow me.”
Delaney and Eli exchanged a glance before following the receptionist through a long corridor. Framed landscape paintings lined the walls, and a faint scent of lavender hung in the air.
The receptionist stopped in front of a wide oak door and knocked once before opening it. “Dr. Hale, your guests are here.”
Delaney stepped into the office first, her eyes sweeping the space. Hale stood behind a massive desk, hands folded calmly in front of him. He smiled as if this were a social call.
“Agents,” he said smoothly. He flashed them a calm smile. “Welcome. I trust your drive was pleasant?”
Delaney didn’t return Hale’s smile. Instead, she stepped forward, letting her voice carry just enough edge to make her intent clear.
“The warrants are still being processed,” she informed him, “but we’d like to take you up on your offer for us to have a look around your facility.”
Hale’s smile never faltered, but Delaney saw the tension in the corner of his jaw. He didn’t like this. That much was clear. Still, he was practiced, polished, and maddeningly calm.
“Of course,” he said, folding his hands on the desk. “I am more than willing to accommodate your request. Within reason.”
Delaney didn’t move. She waited.
Hale gestured slightly. “There are areas of the institute you’re free to see. Others, particularly those involved in direct patient care, are off-limits unless you come back with an official court order. My patients’ privacy must be protected.”
Eli took a step forward as well. “So you have something to hide.”
Hale’s expression didn’t change, but Delaney caught the flicker of something cold in his eyes.
“I have confidentiality to uphold,” Hale replied. “But perhaps this will help ease your suspicions.” He lifted a hand in a gesture to hold off more questions and pressed a button on his desk phone. “Send her in.”
Delaney kept her expression neutral as the office door opened. But the second she saw the girl who stepped in, surprise coiled low in her gut.
Ava Camden.
Delaney hadn’t expected to see her. She was sure Hale would keep her out of sight, hidden away until he could manipulate the narrative. But there she was, walking into the office with quiet confidence and curiosity in her eyes.
Hale stood smoothly. “Agents, this is Ava Camden. Ava, these are the investigators who have been looking into the… misunderstanding with your sister. This is Delaney Hart and Eli Tarrant. They both work for a private security company, Crossfire Op.”
Delaney gave a brief nod. “Ava. It’s good to meet you.”
Ava nodded back. “You too.”
Delaney studied her carefully. Ava looked good. Better than Delaney had thought she would. No visible bruises. No signs of being sedated or neglected. Her clothes were clean, her posture steady, and her gaze direct. It was a far cry from how Olivia had looked when they’d rescued her.
Still, Delaney knew better than to trust appearances. The Hale Institute had all the right curtains and none of the right windows. What they were shown could be carefully orchestrated, especially with someone like Cyrus Hale pulling the strings.
“We wanted to ask you a few questions,” Delaney said gently.
Ava glanced at Hale, who gave a small, reassuring nod.
“Okay,” Ava said. “I’ll answer what I can.”
They all sat, the tension barely concealed beneath the polished surface of Hale’s office. Delaney and Eli took the two chairs opposite Ava while Hale moved behind his desk and folded his hands like a benevolent overseer.
Delaney leaned forward slightly, keeping her tone soft. “Ava, how are you doing?”
Ava didn’t hesitate. “I’m getting better. But I’m not finished with my treatment yet.” Her voice was steady, her words crisp. Too crisp. Like something she’d practiced or been coached to say.
Eli tilted his head slightly. “You were placed here against your will. Do you want to leave now?”
There was a beat of silence. Ava’s fingers curled against the arm of her chair, and her shoulders rose in a tight breath. “No. I don’t want to go.”
Delaney caught the flicker of Ava’s gaze darting toward Hale. He didn’t speak. Didn’t move. Just watched.
Ava’s throat moved with a swallow, and her voice was quieter when she added, “At first I was angry. I resented my grandfather for sending me here. But now I’m glad. I needed help, and I’m getting it.”