Chapter 129

ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-NINE

COAL MOUNTAIN HOSPITAL

He had to finish this and fast. If the cops found that fed and realized the detective had been abducted, they'd be all over the mountain.

But he couldn't end it without Barbara's presence. She was the reason he'd done everything. The reason he'd spent his childhood with that monster.

She had to be here for the finale.

Knowing that damn guard was probably standing watch, he'd driven away without her. But he was resilient. He had a plan. He phoned the hospital and told the receptionist who answered he was Barbara's brother and needed to speak to her so the woman patched him through to her room directly.

A smile twitched at his lips at the tremor in her voice when she answered. "How far would you go to save the girls?"

A tense heartbeat passed, then she said, "I'll do whatever you want."

Exhilarated laughter bubbled in his throat. "Then go outside and wait for me at the side of the ER door. I'll be there in ten minutes. If you're not there, the girls die."