Chapter 6 - THE EMPTY BEDROOM
Lorenzo ran back toward the main house.
Sophia followed.
The estate had become chaos.
Security guards were checking gates.
Employees were calling each other.
Vehicles were being searched.
Valentina’s bedroom was empty.
Her jewelry was gone.
Her passport was missing.
Several drawers had been pulled open.
Lorenzo entered his office.
The safe behind the painting stood open.
He stared inside.
“What was there?”
Sophia asked.
“Company seals.”
“Original shareholder documents.”
“My father’s private records.”
He turned.
“And emergency authorization codes for three international accounts.”
Sophia felt sick.
Valentina had planned her escape.
Perhaps for months.
Then Lorenzo’s phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
No one spoke at first.
Then a distorted male voice said four words.
“You opened the chapel.”
Lorenzo’s expression changed.
“Who is this?”
The caller ignored him.
“Valentina failed.”
Sophia stepped closer.
The voice continued.
“Now we take the child.”
Sophia stopped breathing.
“Which child?”
Lorenzo demanded.
The caller laughed quietly.
“You have two girls on that property who matter now.”
The call ended.
Sophia grabbed her phone.
She called the cottage.
No answer.
She called Lily’s babysitter.
No answer.
She ran.
Lorenzo followed.
They reached Sophia’s cottage less than two minutes later.
The front door stood open.
Sophia rushed inside.
“Lily!”
No answer.
The living room was empty.
A cup of milk had spilled onto the floor.
Sophia ran toward the bedroom.
Empty.
Then she heard crying from the closet.
She threw open the door.
Lily was crouched inside.
Sophia dropped to her knees.
“Oh, thank God.”
Lily wrapped both arms around her.
“A man came.”
Sophia looked at Lorenzo.
“What man?”
“The one from Miss Valentina’s car.”
“Victor?”
Lily nodded.
“He asked me to come outside.”
“What did you do?”
“I remembered what you said.”
Sophia had always taught Lily never to leave with anyone unless they knew the family password.
“What did he say?”
“He didn’t know the password.”
Lily swallowed.
“Then Mrs. Carter came in and yelled.”
The babysitter was not in the cottage.
Sophia’s relief disappeared.
“Where is Mrs. Carter?”
Lily pointed toward the back door.
“He took her.”
Lorenzo pulled out his phone.
Then Lily reached into her pocket.
“He dropped this.”
She handed Sophia a small black device.
Lorenzo recognized it immediately.
“A port access token.”
On the back were printed three letters.
MRT.
Lorenzo’s face darkened.
“Moretti River Terminal.”
Sophia looked at him.
“When does the next ship leave?”
May you like
Lorenzo checked his watch.
“Forty-seven minutes.”
