Chapter 5 - THE EMBASSY CAR
The black town car rolled up the circular driveway without resistance.
It had diplomatic plates.
Blue and red shield on the bumper.
"Hold your fire," Gabriel ordered over the estate PA system.
Matteo stood at Gabriel’s shoulder with an assault rifle lowered across his chest.
Four guards flanked the front portico, rain soaking their tactical jackets.
The rear door of the town car opened slowly.
A woman stepped out beneath a large black umbrella held by a chauffeur.
She wore a tailored charcoal trench coat, black leather gloves, and oversized sunglasses despite the dark.
She walked up the limestone steps with absolute confidence.
Her heels clicked sharply against the wet stone.
She stepped inside the grand foyer.
She removed her glasses.
Her face was striking, sharp-featured, and completely devoid of warmth.
"Gabriel," she said smoothly.
Her voice had the refined accent of old European money.
"You look tired."
Gabriel didn't move from the center of the foyer.
His hands were buried in his trouser pockets.
"Elena."
Olivia stood behind the marble pillars, watching from the shadows.
Her heart was pounding like a hammer.
Elena Rossi-Duca.
The woman who was supposed to have perished in the car bomb four years ago.
The widow of Julian Duca.
"You shouldn't be in Chicago," Gabriel said quietly.
"I never left," Elena replied, unbuttoning her coat.
Beneath the coat was a dark silk dress and a diamond pendant shaped like an anchor.
The crest of the Moretti syndicate.
"Where is the girl, Elena?" Gabriel asked.
Elena smiled.
A cold, venomous curve of red lips.
"Safe."
"With Victor."
Elena turned her gaze toward the marble pillars.
Her eyes found Olivia hiding in the dim light.
"You must be Olivia," Elena said, her tone dripping with mock sympathy.
"Daniel always spoke of you with such mundane affection."
Olivia stepped out from behind the pillar.
She didn't cower.
She walked until she stood beside Gabriel.
"Where is my daughter?" Olivia demanded.
Elena laughed softly.
"She’s at the old cold-storage facility on the river."
"Drinking warm milk, I assure you."
Elena looked back at Gabriel.
"Victor doesn't want the child, Gabriel."
"He wants the shipping keys to the Calumet Harbor terminal."
"And he wants Julian’s original encrypted ledger."
Gabriel’s expression remained carved from ice.
"Julian’s ledger was destroyed in the blast."
"Don't lie to me, brother-in-law," Elena hissed, taking a step closer.
Her elegant facade slipped, revealing the jagged predator underneath.
"Julian wouldn't keep the ledger in a vault."
"He kept it where only family would ever look."
She glanced up toward the ceiling.
Toward Guest Room 7.
"Nero knew," Elena whispered.
"That stupid dog always had Julian’s scent."
Gabriel didn't answer.
Elena pulled an encrypted satellite phone from her purse and set it on the foyer table.
"You have two hours, Gabriel."
"Bring the ledger to Pier 18."
"If you bring Matteo, the child dies."
"If you bring the police, the child dies."
"Bring the maid. Bring the book."
Elena turned toward the open front door.
She paused on the threshold, rain misting her pale face.
"Oh, and Gabriel?"
"Don't be late."
"Victor gets impatient when he doesn't get his shipments."
The doors closed behind her.
The black town car sped away into the stormy night.
Olivia turned to Gabriel, her hands trembling.
"You have the ledger, don't you?"
Gabriel looked up the grand staircase toward Guest Room 7.
"Yes," Gabriel said softly.
May you like
"And it's time to open the rest of that wall."
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