Rumors spread before facts did.
A reporter called Lauren’s office.
Another called Ethan.
Cole Vector’s communications team issued a bland statement claiming an employee had been involved in a traffic accident.
Charles Cole called his son nine times.
Ethan ignored eight.
He answered the ninth.
Lauren was sitting in a private hospital conference room with Detective Mitchell and Naomi while Ethan put the call on speaker.
“Where the hell are you?” Charles demanded.
“At St. Catherine’s.”
“I know that. Why?”
“Madison crashed.”
Silence.
Only half a second.
Lauren noticed.
Charles said, “Is she alive?”
“Yes.”
Another small pause.
“Good.”
Ethan looked at Lauren.
She saw it in his eyes.
The same realization she had experienced hours earlier.
Not relief.
Calculation.
Charles continued.
“I’m hearing police are there.”
“There was a security incident.”
“What kind?”
“Someone tried to access Madison’s room.”
“Who?”
“They don’t know.”
