Chapter 12 - THE TODDLER BEHIND THE BOOKCASE
Emma saved us twice.
The first time by whispering outside my study.
The second time by refusing to stay where Samuel put her.
Ravenwood’s “little book room” was a narrow children’s reading alcove behind the old library.
Emma knew a maintenance passage behind one shelf because she liked hiding there with Bunny.
Samuel did not.
When he dragged her into the library after finding her near the basement phone exchange, she slipped through the panel while he searched.
Then she used the antique intercom button at floor level.
Nobody remembered it still worked.
Except Emma.
I spoke gently through the emergency handset.
“Stay with Bunny.”
“Okay.”
“Can you see the bad man?”
“His shoes.”
“Where?”
“By Grandpa book.”
I knew the shelf.
Dominic and I moved through the east passage while Victor’s outside team cut power to the electronic locks.
Paolo remained under guard.
He gave us Samuel’s likely escape route.
Not out of loyalty.
Because Samuel had broken their rule.
No children.
We reached the library from behind the fireplace corridor.
Samuel stood with a pistol near the bookcase.
I did not rush him.
Did not give him a speech.
Dominic distracted him from the main doorway.
I came from the side.
The struggle lasted six seconds.
The weapon hit the carpet.
Samuel hit the floor.
Emma crawled out holding Bunny.
She looked at me.
“Did I do good again?”
I picked her up.
“Yes.”
This time my voice failed.
Mara ran in moments later and took her daughter.
Then Samuel laughed from the floor.
“You still don’t understand.”
I looked down.
“What?”
“The wedding.”
He had blood at the corner of his mouth.
“It was never about giving Vivien your company.”
“What was it about?”
“Making Marco come home.”
Silence.
Samuel had known Marco was alive for years.
But Marco remained unreachable.
The only event guaranteed to draw him close was my wedding to Elena’s sister.
Vivien.
Noah.
Black Crown.
All roads led there.
“Where is Marco?”
Samuel smiled.
“At Ravenwood.”
I stared.
“No.”
“He entered the estate yesterday.”
“How?”
Samuel looked toward Dominic.
“Ask the man who taught him every tunnel.”
Dominic’s face changed.
Then a voice came from behind us.
Older.
Familiar.
“Still slow, little brother.”
May you like
I turned.
Marco stood in the doorway.
