Chapter 4 - The Housekeeper's Fear|
Vincent walked briskly down the east wing corridor, his leather shoes clicking against the runner rug. Before he reached his study, he stopped outside the linen pantry.
Maria Carter was folding white cloth napkins, her back to the door. When she turned and saw Vincent standing there, her shoulders immediately hitched up toward her ears—an instinctive posture of a woman who had lived her life under the thumbs of dangerous men.
"Mr. Moretti," Maria gasped, setting the napkins down hastily. "I'm so sorry—did Emma disturb you? I told her to stay in the back kitchen—"
"Maria," Vincent interrupted softly. "Your daughter just saved my life."
Maria went pale, her dark eyes widening in horror. She pressed her hands against her chest. "What... what do you mean, sir?"
"Miss Vance put something in my food. Emma saw her," Vincent explained calmly. "You and your daughter are safe here. But I need you to listen to me very carefully. From this moment, you do not leave this house. My men will secure your sister and bring her here by nightfall."
Maria began to tremble, tears welling in her eyes. "Mr. Moretti... Julianna's family... they own the police in this district. If they think my little girl said something—"
"No one touches your girl," Vincent said, his voice carrying the full weight of the Moretti name—a name that had controlled the docks, the unions, and the streets of Federal Hill for forty years. "I will tear this city apart before I let anyone lay a finger on Emma. Do you understand me?"
Maria wiped a tear from her cheek and nodded slowly. "Yes, Mr. Moretti. Thank you."
Vincent turned away and walked straight to his study door. He entered the six-digit code into the brass keypad. The heavy electronic bolt retracted with a sharp click.
He opened the door and stepped into the dim room, which smelled faintly of old leather, cigar smoke, and polished mahogany.
May you like
He walked directly to his heavy desk, dropped to his knee, and looked beneath the bottom drawer.
Lying on the dark carpet was a tiny, clear plastic dropper cap, smeared with a faint residue of odorless white oil.
