Chapter 5 - THE WOMAN WHO VANISHED Rosa's disappearance had been officially classified as voluntary.
Detective Quinn reopened the case.
A photograph found in Warren's office showed Rosa standing outside a private medical clinic beside Serena and Warren.
On the back were six handwritten words:
HE SAW THE TEST RESULTS.
Victor stared at the photograph.
“Who saw them?”
Nobody knew.
A search of Julian Cole's apartment produced burner phones, forged medical records and copies of Victor's travel schedule.
It also produced a train ticket.
Destination:
Milwaukee.
Quinn located the motel.
But Rosa was gone.
The room had been destroyed.
Blood stained the carpet.
A message had been written across the bathroom mirror:
THE NANNY TALKS, THE BABY PAYS.
Victor felt rage rising inside him.
Marco noticed.
“Give me the order.”
Victor looked toward Ethan.
“No.”
“Victor—”
“We do this legally.”
It was a difficult sentence for a man like Victor Blackwood.
Violence had always been the easiest answer in his world.
Tonight, he chose restraint.
Then Quinn called.
“We found security footage.”
A man had taken Rosa.
The vehicle belonged to Damien Blackwood.
Victor's brother.
Damien had spent his entire life believing Victor had stolen the life that belonged to him.
The money.
The company.
Their father's approval.
Their mother's love.
Now he was working with Serena.
Victor called.
Damien answered.
“You were always slow to see betrayal.”
“Where is Rosa?”
“Safe.”
“You kidnapped a witness.”
“I rescued someone who was about to destroy the family.”
Victor's voice became colder.
“There is no family after this.”
Damien laughed.
“You still don't understand.”
“Understand what?”
“Ethan's trust is worth more than every business you own.”
The line went dead.
Victor stared at the phone.
The truth was becoming darker.
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This was no longer about Serena.
Someone had been planning to take his son's inheritance long before Victor walked through the foyer that night.
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