Chapter 15 - The Secret Inside the Bronze Horse|
The original bronze horse stood on a shelf inside Dominic's private office.
Gabriel had recovered it after Noah's attack and placed it there.
I stared at the statue.
A few days earlier, it had seemed like nothing more than a heavy object used by a frightened child.
Now I wondered whether it contained the answer to everything.
Dominic carefully examined its base.
There was a tiny opening beneath the left rear hoof.
Inside, he found a concealed compartment.
And inside that compartment was another storage card.
Dominic looked at me.
“Evelyn.”
His voice was barely audible.
We took the card to a secure computer.
Gabriel stood by the door.
Dominic inserted it.
A video file appeared.
The recording began with Evelyn sitting at a desk.
Her dark hair was pulled into a loose bun.
She wore a pale blue blouse.
She looked tired.
Terribly tired.
“Dominic.”
Her voice filled the room.
He gripped the edge of the desk.
“If you're watching this, I need you to listen carefully.”
Evelyn swallowed.
“I discovered that Marcus has been using Three Bells to conceal transfers connected to the Vale shipping companies.”
Dominic stared at the screen.
“I confronted him.”
Her voice trembled.
“He denied everything. Then he told me to think about Noah.”
I covered my mouth.
Evelyn looked toward the camera.
“Dr. Kessler isn't treating Noah for the reasons he claims.”
Dominic stepped closer.
“What?”
“He approached me about a special program for children who experienced trauma.”
She shook her head.
“But Noah hadn't experienced the attack yet. There was nothing wrong with him.”
A terrible silence filled the room.
Evelyn continued.
“I found documents showing Marcus had already authorized a room in the north wing to be renovated for that program.”
Dominic looked at me.
The blue room.
Built before Evelyn died.
Before Noah began screaming.
Before eighteen nannies fled.
Evelyn's voice cracked.
“They're planning something. I don't know what, but I know my son is involved.”
She wiped away a tear.
“Dominic, I tried to tell you.”
He closed his eyes.
“I know,” he whispered.
“But every time we talked, Marcus interrupted. Every time I requested documents, something disappeared.”
Evelyn leaned closer to the camera.
“If something happens to me, don't believe Noah is broken.”
Her lips trembled.
“He's a wonderful little boy.”
Dominic covered his face with one hand.
Evelyn looked directly into the lens.
“And whatever happens, don't let them take him to Three Bells.”
The recording ended.
Nobody moved.
Then Dominic whispered:
“I failed her.”
I turned toward him.
“You didn't know.”
His eyes filled with tears.
“She tried to warn me.”
“She left evidence because she hoped you'd find it.”
He stared at the screen.
For the first time, I saw the weight of everything he'd lost.
Not just his wife.
But two years of his son's childhood.
I gently touched his arm.
“You can't change those years.”
He looked at me.
“But you can change what happens next.”
Dominic nodded slowly.
Then Gabriel's phone rang.
He answered.
His expression became serious.
“Boss, we've located Marcus.”
Dominic straightened.
“Where?”
Gabriel looked at the address on his screen.
“Three Bells Recovery House.”
A pause.
“And he's not alone.”
Dominic's eyes narrowed.
“Who is with him?”
Gabriel swallowed.
“Dr. Kessler.”
He hesitated.
“There's something else.”
Dominic stared at him.
“What?”
“Security footage shows them moving a woman into the building.”
My heart began pounding.
May you like
Gabriel continued:
“She appears to match Evelyn's description.”
