Chapter 6 - The Arrogance of Gertrude
I didn't make it to the elevator before the chaos erupted.
As I reached the end of the hall, the ding of the elevator sounded. The doors slid open, and Officer Vance stepped out, flanked by three other uniformed officers and two plainclothes detectives.
Vance saw me and sighed heavily. "I told you not to take matters into your own hands, David."
"I didn't touch her," I said, holding my hands up. "I just delivered the bad news."
"Go home to your family," Vance said, his expression softening. "We'll take it from here."
I didn't leave. I stood by the elevator banks and watched.
The officers approached Room 412. They didn't knock politely. One of the detectives banged on the door, shouting, "Police! Open the door!"
When she didn't answer, a hotel manager used a master key. The chain was snapped with a bolt cutter.
I heard Gertrude screaming before I saw her.
"Get your hands off me! Do you know who I am? I know the mayor! I'll have all your badges!"
They marched her out of the room. She was entirely unhinged now. Her perfect hair was a mess. The silk blouse was wrinkled. Her wrists were locked tightly in steel handcuffs behind her back.
As they walked her past me toward the elevator, she locked eyes with me. Her face was contorted in pure, unadulterated hatred.
"You ruined everything!" she shrieked, spitting the words at me. "He was mine! Sarah is mine! You are nothing but a mistake!"
I didn't flinch. I looked at her with pure pity.
"Goodbye, Gertrude," I said quietly.
The elevator doors closed, cutting off her screaming, and taking the monster out of our lives forever.
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Later that evening, the full scope of the police raid at the Blackwood Institute made the local news. Dr. Thorne was arrested for operating an unlicensed medical facility, child endangerment, and fraud. They found records of dozens of children who had been subjected to his "holistic corrections" at the behest of wealthy, controlling parents and grandparents.
The nightmare was finally, truly over.
