Chapter 15 - The Custody Trap|
The Sterling Estate sat on fifty acres of prime real estate overlooking the city. The massive wrought-iron gates were flanked by armed private security, while luxury cars lined the circular driveway.
Ricardo parked his car a mile down the road and hiked through the dense, wet woods that bordered the property. The rain had stopped, leaving a heavy fog that clung to the ground like a shroud.
He approached the rear perimeter wall, avoiding the motion sensors he knew were positioned every fifty feet. He reached the old utility access panel, popped the cover with his pocketknife, and manually bypassed the electronic lock using a portable decryptor Marcus had given him years ago.
The heavy steel door clicked open. Ricardo slipped inside the grounds.
The grand ballroom was illuminated with crystal chandeliers, the faint sound of a string quartet drifting through the manicured gardens. Ricardo ignored the main house, moving silently toward the glass conservatory in the back—Helena’s private retreat.
He slipped through the sliding glass doors and waited in the shadows among the towering ferns and exotic orchids.
Ten minutes later, the door to the main house opened, and Helena walked in. She was wearing a stunning emerald evening gown, a glass of champagne in her hand. She looked exhausted, rubbing her temples as she sought a moment of quiet away from the donors.
“You throw a nice party,” Ricardo said, stepping out of the shadows.
Helena gasped, dropping her champagne glass. It shattered against the marble floor.
“Ricardo! How did you get in here? I’ll call security!”
“Do it,” Ricardo challenged, taking a step forward. “Call them. Let them drag me out in front of all your wealthy donors. Or, you can listen to this.”
He pulled out the burner phone and pressed play.
Camila’s voice echoed through the silent conservatory.
“Lucas was in the room... He handed the nurse the new bag... If I don't wake up tomorrow, it wasn't the cancer.”
Helena’s face drained of all color. She grabbed the edge of a marble planting table to steady herself.
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“He told me it was an accident,” Helena whispered, her voice trembling. “He swore to me she just reacted badly to the medication.”
“He lied,” Ricardo said coldly. “And tomorrow morning, the federal prosecutor is issuing a RICO warrant for his arrest. When he goes down, he’s taking the Sterling family name with him. Unless you stop him.”
