Chapter 12 - THE RESCUE AT THE OLD ESTATE|
The old estate stood beyond a narrow road lined with bare trees.
It had once been a grand country residence, but years of neglect had left the stone walls stained and the garden overgrown. Several vehicles were parked behind the main building.
Marco's team watched from a distance.
Giovanni studied the property map.
"Two entrances. A main gate and a service road. There are at least six men inside."
"How many children?" I asked.
"One confirmed."
"And the foster parents?"
"Unknown."
I looked at the house.
"We need to know whether Sofia is injured."
A surveillance camera showed a small figure passing a second-floor window.
She was wearing a yellow sweater.
"That's her," Camilla whispered.
Giovanni's jaw tightened.
The original plan was to have local officers secure the outer perimeter while Giovanni's security team approached the service entrance. But I suggested something else.
"Can we get a message to her?"
"How?" Marco asked.
"Through the phone. If she recognizes my voice, she may come toward us instead of hiding."
Giovanni looked uncertain.
"That could expose you."
"She's already heard me. She knows my name."
He considered it, then nodded.
Marco placed a call through the same temporary relay.
The phone rang twice.
Sofia answered.
"Hello?"
"It's Jessica again."
She began crying.
"Are you coming?"
"Yes, sweetheart. Listen carefully. Do you remember the drawing you made of your house?"
"Yes."
"Good. I want you to find a room with a window. Stay there, and don't go with anyone you don't know. Can you do that?"
"I want my mommy."
"I know. We're trying to bring her to you."
A door opened somewhere near the phone.
A man shouted.
The call ended.
Giovanni looked at Marco.
"Move."
The team advanced.
The next minutes were chaotic. Security officers secured the service road while local police approached the main gate. A loudspeaker ordered everyone inside to come out.
Gunfire cracked once from the rear of the property.
I ducked behind the vehicle.
Giovanni moved in front of me.
"Stay down."
"I am down."
"Stay there."
He joined Marco's team.
I waited, listening to the sounds inside the estate. Every second felt unbearable.
Then a woman appeared at the side entrance.
It was Sofia's foster mother.
She was frightened but unharmed.
"Where is the child?" I asked.
"Upstairs. They took her away from us. We were told not to interfere."
"Can you show me where?"
Giovanni's security officer stopped me.
"Mrs. Reed, you need to remain here."
I looked at the woman.
"Does Sofia know you?"
The foster mother nodded.
"She calls me Mama Claire."
"Then come with me. If she sees you, she'll feel safe."
We moved toward the house with two officers.
Inside, the hallway smelled of dust and old wood. A door stood open at the end of the corridor.
I heard a child's sob.
"Sofia?"
No answer.
Claire called softly.
"Sweetheart, it's Mama Claire."
A small face appeared behind a half-open bedroom door.
Sofia.
She stared at Claire, then at me.
I crouched.
"Hello again."
She ran toward Claire and wrapped both arms around her waist.
"Are you taking me home?"
"Yes, baby," Claire whispered. "You're going home."
I looked over her shoulder.
A man stepped from the stairwell.
He was tall, with a shaved head and a scar across his cheek.
He held a gun.
"Nobody moves."
One of the officers raised his weapon.
Before anyone could react, Giovanni appeared at the far end of the hallway.
"Rossi."
The man smiled.
"Giovanni. You're late."
Giovanni stepped forward.
"Let them leave."
Rossi looked at me.
"Jessica Reed. The woman from the wedding."
He smiled wider.
"Now I understand why you came."
Giovanni's voice turned cold.
"Leave her out of this."
Rossi lifted his weapon.
"Then give me the ledger."
Giovanni didn't move.
May you like
Rossi's gaze shifted to Sofia.
"Or the little girl stays with me."
