Chapter 17 - THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT
Silas knew the investigation was closing in.
The first warning came as a message to Daniel: a photograph of the estate's rear gate, taken that afternoon, with the words YOU ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME written beneath it.
The second came when a security camera went offline.
The third came at 9:18 p.m., when every light in the east wing went dark.
Luca was in the library with Maya, who had insisted on finishing her homework before going home. Elena was in the kitchen speaking with Mrs. Carter. Tommy had gone outside to retrieve a ball.
The blackout lasted three seconds.
Then the emergency lights came on.
Daniel entered the library.
“Stay here.”
Luca looked at him.
“What happened?”
“Someone cut power to the east wing. The backup system is active.”
Maya clutched her notebook.
“Is it a storm?”
“No,” Luca said gently.
A loud crash came from the corridor.
Daniel drew his weapon and moved toward the door.
Luca reached for Maya.
“Come beside me.”
She obeyed, her face pale.
A security officer appeared at the far end of the hall.
“Boss, we have an intruder near the service entrance.”
Daniel moved quickly.
Luca heard footsteps, a shout, then the sound of something striking the floor.
Maya covered her ears.
“Is someone trying to hurt us?”
“I won't let them reach you.”
He hated that he could not stand between her and the door. He hated the wheelchair, the years of dependence, and the possibility that the person responsible for his paralysis was now threatening his daughter.
Then a small hand touched his.
“Your legs are sleeping,” Maya whispered. “Remember?”
He looked at her.
She was frightened, but she was trying to be brave for him.
A moment later, Daniel returned.
“One man is in custody. The second escaped through the garden.”
“Who sent them?”
“We don't know yet. But one of them had a photograph of the medical files.”
Luca's expression hardened.
“Silas.”
Daniel nodded.
“Possibly.”
Elena arrived and pulled Maya into her arms.
“Are you hurt?”
“No.”
“Then we're going home.”
Maya looked at Luca.
“Can I stay?”
Elena hesitated.
Luca shook his head.
“Your mother is right. You should go somewhere safe tonight.”
Maya frowned.
“But what about you?”
“I'll be safe.”
She hugged him carefully.
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
After Elena and Maya left with two guards, Daniel showed Luca the item recovered from the intruder.
It was a key card for the estate's medical wing.
Only a handful of people had ever been authorized to use it.
Silas was one of them.
The other was Dr. Nathaniel Voss.
Daniel placed the card in an evidence bag.
“Boss, I think Voss is still working with him.”
May you like
Luca looked toward the dark corridor.
“Then we find Voss before Silas decides he has nothing left to lose.”
