Chapter 5 - SERENA’S TRAP

Victor wanted to go.

Detective Brooks wanted him nowhere near the warehouse.

They compromised.

Victor would enter.

Police would surround the building.

Lily stayed with Ethan at a secure location.

At least, that was the plan.

Before Victor left, Lily grabbed his sleeve.

“Serena knows you.”

“She’ll know you brought police.”

“I know.”

“She wants something besides the key.”

Victor looked at her.

“What?”

“She wants you angry.”

“Why?”

“Because angry people stop asking questions.”

Victor remembered Amelia.

For years, Daniel had told him Amelia had become paranoid before her death.

Too emotional.

Too suspicious.

Victor had believed him.

That realization hurt more than he expected.

He had trusted Daniel instead of his wife.

“I’ll ask questions this time.”

Victor entered the warehouse at 8:42 p.m.

Serena stood beneath a hanging industrial lamp.

She wore black.

Her hair was tied back.

A metal case rested beside her.

“You came.”

Victor held up the gold key.

“Where’s the ledger?”

Serena smiled.

“Still giving orders.”

“You touched my son.”

Her smile disappeared.

“I never wanted to hurt Ethan.”

“I heard your voice.”

“You heard part of a conversation.”

“You dragged him across my floor.”

“I was trying to get him away from Lily.”

Victor stared at her.

“Why?”

Serena stepped closer.

“Because Lily isn’t who you think she is.”

Victor said nothing.

Serena laughed.

“She never told you?”

“Told me what?”

“Ask your perfect little nanny why Amelia hired her.”

Victor’s expression changed.

“Amelia didn’t hire Lily.”

“Didn’t she?”

Serena kicked the metal case toward him.

Inside were photographs.

Amelia.

Lily.

Together.

Taken three years earlier.

Before Ethan was born.

Victor stared at them.

“What is this?”

“Ask Lily.”

A red laser dot suddenly appeared on Serena’s chest.

Police sniper.

Serena noticed.

“You brought them.”

Victor kept his voice calm.

“You expected me not to?”

Serena reached into her pocket.

“Bad decision.”

She pressed a button.

Flames erupted at the far end of the warehouse.

Boxes ignited.

“Ledger!” Victor shouted.

Serena ran.

Police stormed inside.

Victor chased her between the burning shelves.

“Serena!”

She turned and threw something.

Victor caught it.

Another key.

Silver.

Then a burning beam crashed between them.

Serena disappeared through a side door.

Victor tried to follow.

Brooks grabbed him.

“Get out!”

“The ledger!”

“Now!”

Fire swallowed the warehouse.

Outside, Victor opened his hand.

The silver key had a number engraved on it.

Brooks stared at it.

“That’s not a room number.”

Victor knew exactly what it was.

“Safe-deposit box.”

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