Chapter 6 - THE PRICE OF BELIEVING
Julian refused to speak to his father for two days.
He continued therapy with Elise, working to move his feet and tighten the muscles above his knees. Progress was slow but undeniable. Each new movement brought hope, followed by anger that years had been stolen from him.
Charles stood outside the therapy room listening to his son laugh with Elise. He had never felt more powerful in public or more useless at home.
The media story grew. Reporters identified Elise and uncovered fragments of Anna's past. Some accused Charles of exploiting a homeless child to repair Whitmore Global's image. Others offered Elise money for interviews.
A judge issued an emergency order placing Elise under temporary state supervision, arguing that Charles had no legal authority to keep her.
Social workers arrived at the townhouse.
Elise barricaded herself in Julian's room.
"They'll move me again," she said. "Then Meridian will find me."
Charles called every attorney he knew, but the order was valid. He could fight it in court, not ignore it.
Julian wheeled himself into the hallway. "Then adopt her."
Charles looked at him.
"Not because she helped me," Julian continued. "Because nobody should have to beg to stay somewhere safe."
Elise opened the door slightly. "You don't have to do that."
"I know," Charles said.
For perhaps the first time in his life, he made a decision with no strategic advantage.
He filed for emergency guardianship.
At the hearing, the state argued that Charles's wealth could not replace stability. Elise's history of running away, the active criminal investigation, and the threats around Julian made the home dangerous.
Elise asked to speak.
The judge hesitated, then allowed it.
"People keep saying Mr. Whitmore saved me," she said. "He didn't. He gave me bread. Julian gave me a room. But I saved myself for two years before either of them knew my name. I don't need a rich man to rescue me. I need adults to stop moving me every time I start to trust someone."
The courtroom became still.
Temporary guardianship was granted under strict supervision.
Outside, Elise found Charles waiting beside the car.
"You didn't tell them I was easy," she said.
"You are not easy."
She frowned.
"Neither am I," he added. "Perhaps that makes us qualified to disappoint each other honestly."
A small smile appeared.
That evening, Daniel confirmed transport to Maine. They would leave before dawn.
Julian insisted on joining the mission. Charles refused until Julian transferred himself from his wheelchair into the vehicle without assistance. It took three attempts and left him trembling, but he succeeded.
"I'm not luggage," Julian said.
Charles nodded. "No. You're my son. And I should have remembered those are not the same thing."
The private plane took off beneath a dark sky.
Halfway to Maine, its warning system began to scream.
Fuel pressure dropped.
The pilot announced they had six minutes before both engines failed.
Daniel opened a maintenance panel and found a small device connected to the fuel controls.
Someone had sabotaged the aircraft before takeoff.
Elise looked through the window at the black Atlantic below.
May you like
"They know we're coming," she whispered.
Charles reached for Julian and Elise as the plane began to fall.
