Chapter 13 - The House by the Frozen Lake
The house near Lake Geneva looked abandoned.
Snow covered the porch, and the windows were dark.
Nicholas stood beside Emily as local authorities approached the front door.
Luca had already shared the recovered evidence with investigators, including photographs connecting Victor's organization to the property.
Emily's hands shook inside her gloves.
“My father could be in there.”
Nicholas looked at her.
“You don't have to go inside.”
She shook her head.
“I've spent my entire life thinking he was dead.”
The lead investigator knocked.
No answer.
After identifying an urgent welfare concern, the officers entered.
The house smelled faintly of wood smoke.
Someone had been living there recently.
A half-finished cup of tea sat on the kitchen table.
Then a voice came from the hallway.
“Who are you?”
An older man appeared, leaning on a cane.
He had silver hair, tired blue eyes, and a scar running along his jaw.
Emily stared.
The man looked directly at her.
His cane slipped from his hand.
“Emily?”
Her breath caught.
“How do you know my name?”
Tears filled his eyes.
“Because I named you.”
Emily covered her mouth.
“Dad?”
Daniel Whitmore nodded.
Then she crossed the room and fell into his arms.
For several seconds, neither could speak.
Daniel held his daughter as though afraid she might disappear.
“I tried to come back,” he whispered. “Victor told me he'd kill you and your mother if I ever contacted you.”
Emily cried against his shoulder.
Nicholas turned away, giving them their moment.
Then Daniel looked toward him.
“Nicholas Grimaldi.”
Nicholas stepped forward.
“Where is my sister?”
Daniel's expression changed.
“She was here three days ago.”
Nicholas's heart dropped.
“Where is she now?”
“Victor moved her. He knew someone had found the underground files.”
“Where?”
Daniel gripped Nicholas's arm.
“There's a private airstrip outside Rockford. Victor plans to take her out of the country tonight.”
Nicholas called Luca immediately.
But Daniel wasn't finished.
“There's something else.”
Nicholas turned.
“Your sister hasn't just been held prisoner.”
Daniel's voice cracked.
“For fifteen years, she's been secretly gathering evidence against Victor.”
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“And she left one final instruction.”
“If Nicholas comes for me, tell him not to trust the man standing beside him.”
