The silence stretched across every lost year. Ethan’s face went still.

Then the door opened. A hospital security officer stood in the hallway, breathing hard. “Dr. Bennett, we have a problem. The men who arrived with Mr. Caldwell are gone.”

Ethan moved toward the door. “And Marcus?”

The officer glanced at him. “That’s what I came to tell you. Your driver never left the building. We found his jacket and phone in a staff locker room on the third floor.

The camera outside caught him changing into hospital scrubs and an employee badge.”

“What department?” I asked.