Chapter 6 - THE MAN WITH THE CATERING BADGEBy noon, the Cross estate looked like a crime scene wearing flowers.
Security guards stood at every entrance.
The engagement decorations remained untouched.
White roses began to wilt beneath the summer heat.
Vanessa sat in the library with her attorney.
“You cannot confine me here.”
Damian stood across from her.
“The gates aren't locked.”
“Then why is security following me?”
“Because documents connected to stolen money were found in your possession.”
“My private financial records.”
“With my forged signature.”
“Prove it's forged.”
Rachel Kim appeared in the doorway.
“We will.”
Vanessa's eyes narrowed.
Then Marcus hurried toward them.
“We found Owen.”
Damian turned.
“Where?”
Marcus held up a photograph.
“Not where. Who.”
The picture showed a man wearing a white catering jacket, baseball cap, and trimmed beard.
“Temporary pastry crew,” Marcus said.
Elena stared.
She had seen that man in the kitchen earlier.
Vanessa's face remained blank.
Damian noticed.
“You recognize him.”
“No.”
“That’s your brother.”
“I don't have a brother.”
Marcus placed the corporate filing beside the photograph.
Same birth date.
Same scar.
Same eyes.
Vanessa turned away.
“I want to leave.”
Then Elena's phone rang.
It was Sofia, the cook.
Her voice was shaking.
“Elena, I'm sorry.”
“What happened?”
“I turned around for one second. Mia was coloring at the kitchen table.”
Elena's heart stopped.
“Where is she?”
“A man said you asked him to bring her to you.”
“No.”
“I thought he worked here.”
Elena's phone slipped against her palm.
Damian was already shouting orders.
“Close every gate!”
Marcus checked the cameras.
Then his face changed.
“He took her through the greenhouse corridor.”
Elena ran.
Damian caught her arm.
“Wait.”
“That's my daughter!”
They reached the greenhouse.
The corridor was empty.
On the floor lay one purple crayon.
Mia's crayon.
Elena picked it up.
Her fingers trembled.
Then her phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
One text.
BRING THE LEDGER TO THE OLD BOATHOUSE. NO POLICE. COME ALONE.
A photograph followed.
Mia was sitting on a wooden floor, clutching her stuffed rabbit.
She looked frightened.
But alive.
Behind her, through a dirty window, Elena could see the river.
Damian read the message.
His face became stone.
“Elena.”
She looked at him.
“I’m going.”
“No.”
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“My daughter is there.”
“And you're not going alone.”
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