Chapter 15 - Lucia’s Choice
Alex called the protected apartment.
No one answered.
Julian called his sister.
The line went directly to voicemail.
Security footage showed no breach.
Ruiz ordered the building locked down.
Lucia ran from the boardroom.
Alex followed.
Inside the elevator, she pressed the lobby button repeatedly.
“He took her again.”
“We do not know that.”
“He said I would pay.”
The elevator stopped on the fortieth floor.
The lights dimmed.
Alex moved in front of Lucia as the doors opened.
A courier envelope lay in the empty corridor.
Her name was written across it.
Lucia tore it open.
Inside was a photograph of Sofi sleeping safely in the apartment.
The picture had been taken through a telephoto lens.
A handwritten message covered the back.
THE CHILD IS SAFE FOR NOW.
BRING THE ORIGINAL DRIVE TO PIER 19 AT SIX.
COME WITHOUT WARD.
Lucia checked the time.
She had four hours.
Alex took the photograph.
“He wants you frightened enough to obey.”
“He knows I will.”
“You are not meeting him alone.”
“He said without you.”
“He lies.”
Lucia pulled the drive case from Naomi’s evidence bag before anyone could stop her.
Ruiz reached for it.
Lucia held it against her chest.
“You all have copies.”
“He does not know that.”
“He wants this case.”
Ruiz warned that Marcus might kill her after receiving it.
Lucia looked at Alex.
“My husband tried to do the right thing, and powerful people left me alone with the consequences.”
“I will not let the same thing happen to Sofi.”
Alex lowered his voice.
“You are not alone now.”
Lucia’s anger broke through.
“You cannot promise that.”
“You have guards, planes, lawyers, and entire floors of people who answer when you call.”
“I have a daughter who needs an inhaler to breathe.”
“I do not get to make brave decisions from a safe distance.”
Alex absorbed the accusation.
Then he removed the tracking device Ruiz had placed inside the evidence case.
He handed it to Lucia.
“Marcus will scan for that.”
Ruiz protested.
Alex ignored her.
He took a thin metal card from his wallet.
“This is an emergency locator.”
“It does not transmit until you bend it.”
“Hide it where he will not search.”
Lucia slipped it into the lining of her shoe.
Alex did not tell her not to go.
He knew she would.
Instead, he promised something more honest.
“I will follow your plan.”
“Not mine.”
Lucia stared at him.
For the first time since the wedding, someone powerful had given her control.
At five forty-five, she walked alone toward Pier 19.
Marcus waited beside the dark river.
He was not alone.
May you like
Charles Prescott stood beside him.
And Charles was holding a gun.
