Chapter 8 - behind closed doors
By noon the following day, the estate was operating under a quiet, intense lockdown. Security guards lined the perimeter, while Marcus monitored external communications from the subterranean command room.
Up in the third-floor guest suite, Vanessa paced back and forth across the luxurious carpet like a caged animal. Her phone had been taken, the windows were reinforced, and two guards stood outside her door.
The heavy oak door unlocked with a sharp click.
Daniel stepped into the room, dressed in his crisp black suit. Behind him came Grace, carrying a tray with a simple meal and a pitcher of water.
Vanessa whirled around, her blonde hair messy, her eyes manic. "Daniel! Let me out of here! This is kidnapping!"
"This is containment," Daniel corrected calmly, resting his hands in his suit pockets. "Your handler from the Bellandi syndicate sent a signal twenty minutes ago. They are expecting you to open the west gate at midnight tonight."
Vanessa froze, her lips parting in shock. "How... how do you know that?"
"Because you left your secondary encrypted pager in your vanity drawer," Grace offered softly, setting the food tray on the side table. "Marcus decoded the signal an hour ago."
Vanessa looked at Grace with pure venom. "You disgraceful little informant! You think he cares about you? You're just a maid! Once he's done using you, he'll throw you back onto the streets!"
Daniel stepped instantly between Vanessa and Grace, his massive shoulders blocking Vanessa's view of the younger woman entirely. The atmosphere in the room plummeted to near-freezing.
"If you raise your voice at Grace one more time," Daniel growled softly, "I won't wait until midnight to hand you over to the authorities."
Vanessa took an instinctual step back, intimidated by the absolute terror Daniel commanded when crossed.
"You're going to proceed with the plan, Vanessa," Daniel ordered coldly. "You will send the confirmation signal to the Bellandis at eleven tonight. You will tell them the gate is clear and the vault card is secured."
"And if I refuse?" Vanessa challenged, trying to find a shred of leverage.
"Then I release the bank records proving you embezzled three million dollars from your father's charity foundation," Daniel revealed smoothly. "You choose: cooperate with me, or spend the next twenty years in a federal penitentiary."
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Vanessa’s face went dead gray. Her knees trembled as she sank onto the edge of the bed, completely defeated. "Fine... I'll send the signal."
"Good," Daniel said. He turned to Grace, his expression immediately softening. "Let's go, Grace. We have preparations to make."
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