Chapter 5 - The Shattered Chain
Valeria’s energy was draining rapidly.
The freezing water was paralyzing her muscles, and the heavy, wet clothes were pulling her down with terrifying force.
As she thrashed against the surface, something entirely unexpected happened.
The delicate silver chain around her neck, violently snagged by her own flailing hands, suddenly snapped.
The antique silver locket broke free from the chain, sinking rapidly toward the illuminated bottom of the deep pool.
As the locket hit the tiled floor of the pool, the impact popped the tiny, delicate clasp open.
From the hollow interior of the silver jewelry, a tiny, black object floated out, drifting slowly upward through the chlorinated water.
It was a minuscule, heavily encrypted USB micro-drive.
Suddenly, a loud, panicked voice echoed from the terrace of the mansion, cutting through the roaring sound of the rain.
"Valeria!"
It was Daniel.
May you like
Her husband.
He had stepped out onto the terrace to look for her and had heard the distinct, terrifying sound of a splash followed by a desperate scream.
