Chapter 2 - THE MOTHER BEHIND THE BLUE DOOR.
The blue door opened onto a conservation room, not a prison. Evelyn Reed sat inside, conscious and exhausted, with water, blankets and locked archive cabinets surrounding her.
Gabriel stopped several feet away.
“You were declared dead six years ago.”
“Vivian declared me dangerous after I found the placement files.”
Elsie did not rush forward. She stayed beside Naomi and asked the question no adult wanted to hear.
“Why didn’t you come get me?”
Evelyn’s eyes filled.
“I tried. The foundation told the court I was unstable and Naomi was only temporary.”
Vivian called the records confidential adoptions arranged for children whose parents could not provide proper homes.
Naomi answered, “Poor parents are called incapable when rent is late. Wealthy donors are called generous when they purchase access.”
The microfilm showed that each placement came with a “cultural donation” to the museum. Several children had inherited art, homes or settlement money before being separated from their families.
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Elsie’s file carried the highest donation.
The donor was Gabriel Reed himself.
