Chapter 5 - Vincent’s Escape and Lily’s Kidnapping
A sudden crash echoed from below.
Dominic turned.
A second later, one of the guards shouted through his radio.
“Security room! Now!”
Dominic ran.
I followed despite his order to stay behind.
When we reached the basement corridor, two guards were on the floor, conscious but dazed.
The security-room door stood open.
Vincent was gone.
A ventilation grate had been removed from the wall.
Dominic’s face transformed.
Then his phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
Vincent’s voice came through the speaker.
“You should have listened when I told you the cake was bait.”
“Where are you?”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“What do you want?”
“Not what.”
Vincent paused.
“Who.”
Dominic looked at me.
Vincent continued.
“The woman Lily saw tonight wasn’t a stranger.”
My hands began trembling.
“She came because she knew Lily would recognize the necklace.”
“Where is she?” I demanded.
Vincent laughed.
“Closer than you think.”
The call disconnected.
Then every light in the mansion went out.
For five seconds, complete darkness swallowed us.
Emergency generators clicked on.
Red corridor lights flickered.
And upstairs, Lily screamed.
I ran faster than I had ever run in my life.
Her room was empty.
The window stood open.
Her blanket lay on the floor.
Dominic appeared behind me.
On the pillow sat my silver necklace.
I touched my throat.
Mine was gone.
In its place rested a folded note.
Dominic opened it.
May you like
Five words were written inside.
SHE IS MY GRANDDAUGHTER TOO.
