Chapter 12 - The Cabin
Snow began before they reached the Catskills.
Police vehicles stopped half a mile from Carlo’s cabin.
Massimo and Isabella were kept in a command SUV.
It felt like punishment.
For once, Massimo accepted it.
Inside the cabin, Grant paced while Noah sat on a couch hugging his coat.
Police learned the scene from a phone Grant accidentally left connected to Evelyn.
The call was being monitored under emergency authority.
“Mom said you’re coming with me,” Grant told Noah.
“I want Mommy.”
“Your mother is sick.”
“No.”
“She needs help.”
“No.”
Grant slammed his hand against the wall.
Noah began crying.
In the SUV, Isabella covered her mouth.
Massimo reached for her hand, then stopped inches away.
She took his.
It was the first time since the gala.
Outside, Torres coordinated entry.
Then another vehicle approached the cabin.
Carlo.
He entered carrying a duffel bag.
Through the live audio they heard him say, “You were supposed to wait.”
Grant answered, “Everything fell apart.”
“Because you hit her where people could see.”
Massimo’s grip tightened.
Carlo continued. “We can still fix this. Evelyn has the passports.”
“Where?”
“At the airport hotel.”
Torres signaled another team.
Then Noah spoke.
“Uncle Carlo?”
Silence.
Carlo’s voice softened.
“Hey, champ.”
“Did you tell Dad to hurt Mommy?”
No one in the command SUV moved.
Carlo answered too quickly.
“No.”
Noah said, “I heard you.”
Grant cursed.
A chair scraped.
Massimo stood.
Torres pointed at him. “Sit down.”
He did not.
Then a gunshot cracked over the live feed.
Isabella screamed.
Police rushed the cabin.
Massimo tried to move toward the door.
Two agents stopped him.
The radio erupted with commands.
“Suspect down!”
“Child located!”
“Need medical!”
Isabella shook so hard Massimo could barely hold her.
Then Torres’s radio hissed.
“Child is conscious.”
Isabella collapsed against her father.
But the next transmission came immediately.
“Grant Mercer is not here.”
Massimo looked up.
May you like
They had found Noah.
Grant had disappeared into the snow.
