Chapter 4 - The Blackwood Institute
It took less than four hours for a private investigator I hired—a former detective named Rossi who specialized in custody disputes—to identify the logo.
"It's the Blackwood Institute," Rossi told me over the phone, his voice grim. "It's a highly secretive, ultra-exclusive 'behavioral correction' and holistic neurology clinic located about sixty miles north, out in the woods. It's not a traditional hospital. It caters to rich families who want to 'fix' their eccentric or difficult children without public records."
"Are they legally allowed to take a child without parental consent?" I asked, pacing the living room.
"Hell no," Rossi said. "But the director, Dr. Aris Thorne, plays fast and loose with the law. He uses a loophole—temporary medical proxy. Gertrude forged a document claiming you and Sarah had signed over medical power of attorney because you were traveling. She paid Thorne fifty thousand dollars in cash for an 'emergency psychiatric evaluation' of Ethan."
The pieces fell into place with sickening clarity. Gertrude hadn't just been trying to prove Ethan was defective; she was trying to manufacture a medical record. If Dr. Thorne diagnosed Ethan with severe psychiatric issues, and Gertrude claimed we were neglecting those issues, she could petition the court for emergency guardianship. She wanted to steal our son.
"Where is Gertrude now?" I asked.
"She checked into the Four Seasons downtown under her maiden name," Rossi replied. "She's laying low, probably waiting for CPS to remove Ethan from your home so she can swoop in as the 'savior' grandmother."
I hung up the phone. A dark, terrifying resolve settled over me. Gertrude had operated her whole life under the assumption that money and confidence made her untouchable. She thought we were just pawns on her chessboard.
She was about to find out what happens when you threaten a father's child.
I called Officer Vance. Because of the evidence we provided, the CPS case against us had been suspended, and a warrant was being drafted for Gertrude's arrest for kidnapping and child endangerment. But the wheels of justice moved slowly, and the Blackwood Institute was currently destroying records.
"Vance," I said. "I know where she took him. The Blackwood Institute. They forged medical proxies. If you don't get out there right now, Dr. Thorne is going to shred everything."
"We're on it, David. But do not take matters into your own hands. Do you hear me?"
I hung up without answering.
I looked at Sarah. She was holding Ethan on the couch, rubbing his back as he watched cartoons, oblivious to the war being fought over him.
"Stay here," I told her. "Lock the doors. Do not open it for anyone but the police."
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"Where are you going?" Sarah asked, her eyes wide.
"Gertrude thinks she can wait this out in a luxury hotel," I said, grabbing my coat. "I'm going to let her know her game is over."
