Chapter 6 - THE HOUSE BESIDE THE FROZEN LAKE
The Falcone estate near Lake Geneva had been empty for nearly twelve years.
At least, Marcus believed it had.
Now investigators suspected Elena Moretti was being held there.
And Isabella Cross had apparently been using the property without his knowledge.
Marcus stood beside Detective Morris in a secure conference room.
"I can give you the floor plans."
She nodded.
"That will help."
"And the access codes."
"We'll verify them."
Marcus hesitated.
"Can I come?"
Detective Morris shook her head.
"Not during the operation."
He looked away.
Every instinct told him to rush toward the estate.
To tear down every locked door.
To find Elena himself.
But he had already learned what happened when powerful men believed their anger mattered more than everyone else's safety.
So he nodded.
"Tell me what you need."
The operation began before dawn.
Police coordinated with local authorities.
The estate was surrounded.
Investigators entered with medical personnel standing by.
Marcus waited at St. Agnes, where both newborn boys were receiving care.
Lucia and Marisol had been brought to a safe family waiting area after police confirmed they could leave the mansion.
The little girl sat beside Marcus, swinging her legs.
"Sir?"
He looked down.
"Yes, Lucia?"
"Are you sad?"
He considered the question.
"Yes."
She nodded.
"Me too."
Marcus studied her.
"Why?"
"Because the baby's mommy is missing."
His chest tightened.
Lucia looked toward the nursery.
"But I think she'll come back."
Marcus smiled faintly.
"Why?"
"Because mommies don't stop loving their babies just because they're far away."
The words nearly broke him.
He thought about Elena.
The woman he'd once promised to protect.
The woman he'd believed abandoned him.
The woman who had given birth to his sons while he sat in a mansion surrounded by lies.
"You're right, Lucia."
She smiled.
Then reached into her pocket.
"I made something."
She handed him a folded piece of paper.
Inside was a drawing.
A man.
A woman.
Two babies.
And a little girl standing beside them.
At the bottom, Lucia had written:
Everybody Safe.
Marcus stared.
Then carefully folded it.
"Thank you."
Lucia smiled.
"You're welcome."
His phone rang.
Detective Morris.
Marcus answered immediately.
"Tell me."
"We entered the estate."
His heart pounded.
"And?"
"We found Elena."
Marcus stopped breathing.
"Is she alive?"
"Yes."
He covered his mouth.
"Thank God."
Detective Morris continued.
"She's conscious and receiving medical attention."
Marcus sank into his chair.
Tears streamed down his face.
Then the detective hesitated.
"There's something else."
Marcus looked up.
"What?"
"We found documents in the basement."
"What documents?"
"Records concerning your family."
Marcus frowned.
"How old?"
"Some date back more than twenty years."
His stomach tightened.
Detective Morris continued.
"And they suggest Isabella wasn't acting alone."
Marcus slowly stood.
"Who helped her?"
A pause.
May you like
Then the detective answered.
"Your own consigliere, Anthony Bellini."
