Chapter 4
Vincent never reached the chapel.
One of my father's bodyguards returned ten minutes later.
Alone.
“Where is he?”
“Gone.”
Massimo's eyes narrowed.
“Car?”
“Still outside.”
“Phone?”
“In his coat.”
My stomach tightened.
“Where did he go?”
The guard looked toward the floor.
“East wing.”
“The chapel?” I asked.
He nodded.
Then his radio crackled.
Another voice.
“Boss.”
Static.
“The chapel door is open.”
Massimo looked at Grant.
My husband's fear disappeared.
For one second, he looked relieved.
That frightened me more.
The radio continued.
“Inner tunnel gate is unlocked.”
My father looked at the red tag.
Then Grant.
“You never needed the key.”
Grant said nothing.
“Someone had already opened it.”
Robert started toward the door.
Two guards blocked him.
“This is insane.”
Massimo ignored him.
“Search Grant.”
A bodyguard stepped forward.
Grant resisted.
Wrong choice.
Three seconds later, he was against the wall while another man emptied his pockets.
Wallet.
Keys.
Phone.
Cigar cutter.
Nothing unusual.
Then the guard removed Grant's wristwatch.
The back plate was thicker than it should have been.
He pried it open.
Inside sat a tiny black transmitter.
My father took it.
Turned it between his fingers.
One of the capos leaned closer.
“Signal repeater.”
I looked at him.
“What does that mean?”
Massimo answered.
“The tunnel's outer gate uses an old coded receiver.”
My throat tightened.
“So someone outside could open it.”
“With this.”
“And enter?”
“Yes.”
“How many?”
“As many as fit through.”
Josephine hugged my leg.
I pulled her close.
“What was supposed to happen tonight?”
Grant said nothing.
I looked at Robert.
“What were you planning?”
“Nothing.”
Massimo laughed softly.
“You gave my granddaughter a toy from my dead wife's locked room.”
Robert's jaw tightened.
“You brought a tunnel transmitter into my house.”
Silence.
“And you're still going with nothing?”
A guard returned from upstairs.
“Boss.”
“What?”
“We searched Grant's bedroom.”
He held up a black velvet pouch.
Inside were four identical transmitters.
Not one.
Four.
Massimo stared at them.
“Why four?”
Nobody answered.
Then another guard entered.
“We found Vincent.”
“Alive?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“Under the east stairs.”
Massimo frowned.
“He says someone hit him from behind.”
Grant immediately laughed.
“See?”
My father looked at him.
“No.”
Grant stopped.
Massimo turned toward the guard.
“Bring Vincent.”
Vincent entered with blood on his temple.
His suit torn at the shoulder.
He looked furious.
“I didn't open that gate.”
Massimo studied him.
“Josephine says you gave Grant the transmitter.”
Vincent looked at my daughter.
“She is three.”
“Yes.”
“She misunderstands.”
Josephine stared at him.
Then whispered:
“That's whisper man.”
Nobody moved.
“What?” I asked.
She hid behind me.
“He talks to Daddy in garage.”
Vincent's face changed.
Massimo saw it.
“So did I.”
My father walked toward him.
“What did you whisper about?”
“No idea.”
Josephine suddenly said:
“Christmas night.”
Vincent closed his eyes.
Then she added:
“Grandpa upstairs.”
Pause.
“Lights go off.”
My father stopped.
Vincent whispered something under his breath.
Massimo leaned closer.
“What?”
Vincent looked at the clock.
11:41 p.m.
Then said the sentence that exposed everything.
“They're early.”
My stomach dropped.
Massimo turned toward him.
“Who is early?”
Vincent said nothing.
My father looked again at the clock.
May you like
Midnight.
Whatever they had planned was supposed to happen in nineteen minutes.
