Chapter 8 - THE DETECTIVE IN THE WALL
The final file opened when Dominic entered the lullaby’s last line.
The little bird returns where the river meets the stone.
Elena’s ledger appeared on the screen.
It contained names, payments, account numbers, recordings, and photographs.
Nathan had built an empire inside Dominic’s empire.
More than forty public officials had accepted money.
Three judges had dismissed cases for him.
Two police commanders had supplied confidential information.
Seven dock supervisors had moved weapons and narcotics through restricted shipping lanes.
Nathan did not plan to replace Dominic as a mafia boss.
He planned to replace the entire structure with something quieter.
Something hidden behind elected offices and legitimate companies.
The last folder contained a live access code.
Daniel entered it.
A security feed appeared.
The image showed a narrow concrete room.
A woman sat chained to a metal chair.
Her gray hair hung across her face.
One eye was swollen shut.
Dominic recognized Detective Sofia Reyes from old newspaper photographs.
Nathan had not called the camera to prove she was alive.
The feed had been hidden inside Elena’s files.
Elena had discovered the room before her death.
The timestamp on the current video proved the system was still active.
Mia entered the office despite Dominic’s order to rest.
She saw the screen and covered her mouth.
“Sofia.”
The detective lifted her head as though she had heard her name.
There was no audio.
Daniel studied the background.
A section of red brick appeared behind the concrete wall.
Water dripped steadily from an overhead pipe.
Mia moved closer.
“I know that room.”
“Where?” Dominic asked.
“Bennett Textile Mill.”
“Claire’s family owned it before the company collapsed.”
The abandoned mill stood twenty miles north of the estate.
Nathan had purchased it through a shell corporation after Elena’s death.
Dominic sent Daniel with a rescue team.
He remained behind to prepare for the cathedral exchange.
Mia confronted him in the great hall.
“You are letting Nathan choose the location.”
“I am letting him believe he chose it.”
“He has Sofia.”
“He will kill her if he knows we found the mill.”
“Daniel will reach her first.”
“You do not know that.”
Dominic turned toward her.
“You survived three days beneath my home because nobody listened to your daughter.”
“I am listening now.”
“I am not leaving Sofia there.”
Mia’s anger softened.
Then Harper ran into the hall.
She held a folded paper.
“A man gave me this.”
Dominic crouched.
“What man?”
“The guard with the brown hair.”
Dominic unfolded the paper.
It contained a photograph of Mia sleeping in the guest room.
A red circle had been drawn around Harper’s face.
On the back were three words.
SATURDAY OR BOTH DIE.
Dominic looked toward the corridor.
“Which guard?”
Harper pointed toward Marcus.
He stood near the staircase.
Marcus’s face changed.
His hand moved toward his weapon.
Daniel was gone.
The nearest loyal guards were outside.
Dominic shoved Harper behind him.
Marcus drew first.
Mia grabbed a silver serving tray and struck his wrist.
The gun fired into the ceiling.
Dominic crossed the distance and slammed Marcus against the wall.
Two guards entered.
Marcus stopped fighting.
He laughed instead.
“You are late.”
Dominic pressed the gun beneath his chin.
“Late for what?”
Marcus smiled.
May you like
“The mill is empty.”
“And Daniel is driving into an ambush.”
