Chapter 12 - THE EMPTY CHAIR AT DINNER
We returned to Chicago before sunset.
Marcus’s chair at dinner was empty.
So was his bedroom.
Benny looked sick.
“He was my friend.”
I placed a bowl of stew in front of him.
“He made his choice.”
Benny didn’t eat.
That worried me more than anything.
Roman’s people searched the estate.
Marcus had disappeared.
But he left something inside my kitchen.
My mother’s red coat.
It had been carefully folded across the center island.
On top sat a note.
CHRISTMAS EVE. MIDNIGHT.
BRING THE DOCUMENTS.
COME ALONE.
Roman tore it in half.
“No.”
“I wasn’t planning to go.”
“Good.”
“I’m not stupid.”
Benny finally lifted his spoon.
“Debatable.”
I pointed at him.
“Careful.”
He ate.
Progress.
The meeting location was Ravenwood itself.
That made no sense until Valentina explained there was an old tunnel connecting the estate greenhouse to a service road beyond the property.
Marcus knew it.
Adrian knew it.
And apparently my mother had known it too.
We didn’t wait for midnight.
Roman contacted investigators who had been building a financial case around Adrian’s businesses.
The documents gave them what they needed.
But Adrian disappeared before they reached him.
Christmas Eve arrived beneath heavy snow.
I cooked anyway.
Ham.
Roasted potatoes.
Green beans.
Biscuits.
Apple pie from my mother’s recipe.
At eleven forty, all thirty men—twenty-nine now—were gathered in the dining room.
At eleven fifty-two, the power died.
Again.
Nobody panicked.
I sighed.
“Honestly, this is becoming repetitive.”
Then the greenhouse alarm sounded.
Roman stood.
Vincent drew him back.
“No. That’s what they want.”
I looked toward the kitchen.
And understood.
The greenhouse was a distraction.
I ran.
Roman shouted my name.
Too late.
A man was already inside the pantry.
Marcus.
He looked exhausted.
Terrified.
And he wasn’t holding a weapon.
He was bleeding from his forehead.
“Maggie.”
I stepped back.
“Don’t.”
“Listen to me.”
“You threatened Walter.”
“No.”
“You stole my coat.”
“Yes.”
“Not improving your case.”
Marcus grabbed the counter to stay upright.
“Adrian forced me to help him. My brother owes him money. I tried to get out.”
I didn’t know whether to believe him.
Then Marcus whispered:
“He’s inside the house.”
A sound came from behind me.
May you like
I turned.
And Adrian Vale locked the kitchen door.
