Chapter 42 - THE CLINIC CLAIMED IT WAS SAVING ABANDONED CHILDREN—THEN SOFIA FOUND A ROOM FULL OF EMPTY CRIBS
The federal inspection began at six the following morning.
Sofia did not lead it.
She had learned that evidence needed to survive courtrooms, not merely dramatic confrontations.
Instead, she accompanied the investigators as a representative of the victims' foundation, remaining outside restricted areas unless invited.
New Dawn Children's Center stood beyond a long driveway surrounded by bare trees.
The building was modern.
Clean.
Quiet.
Too quiet.
Daniel stood beside Sofia near the entrance.
"Does this remind you of Blackwood?"
"Yes."
"That's what worries me."
Inside, the clinic director introduced herself as Dr. Miriam Shaw.
She appeared approximately sixty.
Silver-framed glasses.
Calm voice.
Perfectly controlled expression.
"We provide specialized care for medically vulnerable infants."
The lead investigator presented the warrant.
Dr. Shaw read it carefully.
Then stepped aside.
"Of course."
Sofia studied her.
No panic.
No resistance.
That worried her more than shouting would have.
The investigators examined the maternity records.
Several rooms were empty.
One contained incubators.
Another held sealed medical equipment.
Then they reached a corridor painted pale yellow.
At the end stood a locked door.
Dr. Shaw hesitated.
"That room isn't in use."
The investigator looked at her.
"Open it."
Inside were twelve cribs.
All empty.
Each carried an identification number.
No names.
Sofia felt sick.
"Where are the children?"
Dr. Shaw folded her hands.
"There are no children assigned to this room."
"Then why twelve cribs?"
"Historical equipment."
Daniel looked toward the walls.
Fresh paint.
New flooring.
Recently installed monitoring cameras.
Sofia pointed toward the crib nearest the window.
A small blanket lay folded beneath the mattress.
"Historical?"
Dr. Shaw said nothing.
The investigator collected the blanket for examination.
Then Marcus called from outside.
He had found the transport vehicle.
Its identification matched the one used to move the missing Generation Four fetus.
But the vehicle's records had been altered.
The driver was missing.
And the delivery log showed no receiving signature.
Sofia looked at Dr. Shaw.
"Was a newborn brought here yesterday?"
The woman stared at her.
"No."
"Are you certain?"
"Yes."
Daniel stepped forward.
"Then you won't object to the investigators reviewing the cameras."
Dr. Shaw's expression changed.
"Some footage contains protected medical information."
"The warrant addresses that," the investigator replied.
Minutes later, the security recordings revealed a disturbing scene.
A nurse carried a covered infant transport carrier through the rear entrance.
The timestamp matched the delivery log.
Dr. Shaw watched without speaking.
Sofia turned toward her.
"You lied."
The director's eyes filled.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because I was instructed to."
"By whom?"
Dr. Shaw looked toward the screen.
"A man who said the child belonged to the program."
Sofia's voice hardened.
"Children don't belong to programs."
Dr. Shaw lowered her head.
"I know."
"Then where is the baby?"
The woman began crying.
"I helped move her."
"Where?"
"To a private residence."
"Address?"
Dr. Shaw hesitated.
The investigator stepped closer.
"Miriam, this is your opportunity to help protect that child."
Finally, she whispered an address.
A small house near the Pennsylvania border.
Marcus immediately coordinated a welfare check.
But before officers could leave, a second video appeared.
The same nurse.
The same corridor.
A second infant carrier.
Sofia stared.
"Two babies."
Dr. Shaw covered her face.
Daniel whispered, "They were both here."
The investigator looked at the director.
"Where did the second child go?"
Dr. Shaw began shaking.
"I don't know."
"Who took her?"
The woman looked toward Sofia.
"A family member."
Sofia's stomach tightened.
"Whose family?"
Dr. Shaw swallowed.
May you like
"Yours."
TO BE CONTINUED…
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