Chapter 9 - The Woman in the Photograph
For the first time since Elena disappeared, I felt something worse than anger.
Confusion.
Clara stood behind my wife in the photograph.
Her face was visible.
Her hand rested on Elena's shoulder.
The message beneath the photograph contained four words.
COME ALONE, ALESSANDRO.
Vittorio watched me.
“You can't go.”
“I know.”
“It's a trap.”
“I know.”
“But you'll go anyway.”
I looked at him.
“Yes.”
Not because I wanted to be reckless.
Because Elena was alive.
And every second mattered.
We traced the photograph's metadata.
The location was an abandoned lakeside property.
Twenty miles north.
I didn't tell anyone except Gabriel and Vittorio.
Mia stayed at the estate under heavy protection.
Before leaving, I kissed her forehead.
She held Bunny against my chest.
“Bring Mommy home.”
“I will.”
The drive north took thirty minutes.
Snow covered the road.
The house appeared through the trees.
Dark.
Silent.
I entered alone.
“Lorenzo!”
No answer.
Then I heard Elena's voice.
“Alessandro!”
I ran toward it.
She was in a room at the back.
Alive.
Weak.
But conscious.
I cut the restraints.
She grabbed my face.
“You came.”
“Of course.”
“Where is Mia?”
“Safe.”
She closed her eyes.
Then whispered:
“You have to leave.”
“Why?”
“Because Clara isn't the one who took me.”
I froze.
“What?”
Elena looked toward the hallway.
“She was trying to help me.”
My entire understanding collapsed.
“Then who?”
Before she could answer, the door opened.
Clara entered.
Her face was bruised.
She looked terrified.
“I was trying to get her out.”
I lowered my weapon.
“Then explain.”
She did.
Clara had discovered the same network Elena had.
She had infiltrated Lorenzo's operation.
The photograph had been staged to make me believe she was responsible.
“Where is Lorenzo?”
Clara looked at Elena.
“He isn't here.”
“Then who took you?”
Elena whispered:
“Someone I trusted.”
I felt cold.
“Who?”
Elena looked directly at me.
May you like
“Vittorio.”
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