Chapter Twelve

Joe spoke to the doctor about the state of Catherine's health. "At this time, she's paralyzed from the waist down," the doctor gently explained. They were well out of ear-shot from Catherine who was resting in the next room. "Whatever drug she was given caused paralysis which made it seem as though she had died. Thankfully, she survived. Too much of the drug would have lead to permanent damage or even death."

"Will she ever be able to walk again?" Joe asked with concern.

"It's possible... given time and a lot of medical care. She'll need physical therapy and a great deal of rest. All you can do is pray for her at this point," the doctor replied.

Joe nodded. He'd done a lot of praying during the months of Catherine's disappearance. After her funeral yesterday, he had been praying non-stop that he would find a lead which could help him find her son. "A lot of people are heartbroken right now... thinking she's dead," Joe stated.

"Let them believe whatever is necessary to keep her safe," the doctor said. "You've done the right thing, bringing her here to this safe location. No one can harm her here and she can heal."

"Yes, she definitely needs time to heal," Joe agreed. "Thank you, Doctor."

After speaking with the doctor, Joe went into Catherine's room to visit with her. She was laying there so peacefully, her eyes closed in sleep. Joe didn't want to awaken her, but as she felt his presence nearby, she roused, giving him a tender smile. "Hello, Joe," she said. "Thank you for saving my life."

"I really thought we'd lost you there at first, Radcliffe," Joe said as he gently took her hand in his.

"I miss Vincent,' she said with heavy sigh. "I need to see him."

"I know, but you're recovering," Joe said. "You need to give yourself time."

"How much time? Yesterday you attended my funeral. Everyone I love thinks I am dead," she said sadly. "Even Vincent."

"I'm sorry. I know how hard that must be for you."

"I hate for the people I love to suffer. Please, Joe, bring Vincent to me. We have to find our son," Catherine begged.

"Alright, Cathy. I will do what I can. I still don't want anyone to know you're alive... until it's absolutely safe."

"Vincent is safe. He'll protect me."

Joe nodded. He couldn't wait to meet this mysterious Vincent. He'd heard so much about him. "How do I find him?" Joe asked.

Catherine told Joe where to find the hidden tunnels beneath Central Park. "Once you've found the tunnels, leave a message for Father. You can set up a meeting with him," Catherine said, feeling suddenly weak and drained.

She desperately needed her rest, but she also needed Vincent at her side. He was her strength. She knew that he would stop at nothing to rescue their son. She needed her baby in her arms. It wasn't fair that he had been taken from her, before she even got the chance to hold him. Every moment, she wondered how her cruel captor Gabriel was caring for her infant son. Was her child safe in Gabriel's care?

Joe tenderly kissed Catherine on the forehead, telling her to get some much-needed rest. He then set out to take a message to Father. It was that very evening when he met Father in the park. "I am looking for Vincent," Joe said as he approached the man he'd seen at Catherine's funeral.

"What business do you have with him?" Father questioned.

"I am a good friend of Cathy's... and I am trying to locate her child," Joe explained. "I need Vincent's help. I am going to rescue Catherine's child."

"Vincent will help," Father stated. "He too wants what is best for the child."

"Alright. So when can I meet him?"

"Before you meet with Vincent, you must understand... my son isn't like other men. He's different."

Joe listened as Father prepared him for what he could expect upon meeting Vincent. "I am really looking forward to meeting him," Joe replied.

"Come back to the park at midnight. Vincent will be here, wearing a long black cloak," said Father.

"I'll be here," Joe agreed.

At midnight, Joe returned to the park, looking for Vincent. An extremely tall man emerged from the trees, wearing a long black cloak with a thick, dark hood. For just a moment, Joe was speechless. Vincent was nothing like he had expected him to be... he was more.

"You must be Vincent," Joe said after he had caught a glimpse of Vincent's unique face in the faint glow of a distant street light.

"And you must be Joe," Vincent replied.

Thinking of Catherine and her undying love for Vincent, Joe said, "She told me I have a heart like yours."