Chapter 9 - The Road Beyond the Roses

The location pin pointed to a disused greenhouse property nine miles north of Ashford Hall. Moreno sent officers there immediately and ordered us not to follow.

For the first time in my life, I understood why people ignored good instructions.

"She's my sister," I said.

"That's exactly why I need you safe," Moreno answered. "If the caller wants to pull you out of a secure building, don't make it easy."

She was right. Being right didn't make it bearable.

Nathan walked to the window and called Mia's number. Straight to voicemail. He called again, then dropped his arm.

"I taught her to drive," he said quietly. "She hated my parking lessons. She said I treated every stop sign like a philosophy exam."

I closed my eyes. The memory of Mia laughing in the passenger seat hurt worse than my wrists.

In the side office, an officer played back the video from the conservatory card. The angle was high and partly blocked by leaves. It showed me entering, the attacker rushing from the planter, the flash of liquid, and two figures leaving through separate doors. Faces were indistinct, but a broad-shouldered man wore the same security jacket Caleb Dunn had worn at the wedding.

"The footage establishes a violent assault," Moreno said. "It doesn't yet establish who's under the cap."

My father leaned close. "Can you enlarge the left wrist?"

The officer paused the image. A gleam flashed at the attacker's sleeve.

"The compass," I whispered.

"Or something reflective," Moreno cautioned.

Another officer entered carrying a printed log. "The main estate cameras were disabled for maintenance from nine to ten. Security authorization is under Caleb Dunn."

Nathan turned toward Owen, who sat across the hall, speaking quietly with his attorney on speakerphone. "And who approved the maintenance?"

The officer looked at the paper. "Owen Mercer."

As if he'd heard his name through the wall, Owen stood, buttoned his jacket, and headed for the back staircase. Nathan took two strides after him.

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Then Moreno's radio crackled.

"Units at the greenhouse. We found the girl's phone. There's blood on the floor. No girl."