Chapter 4 - The Viper in the House
Victor slammed his foot on the gas pedal.
The SUV tore through the wet city streets, ignoring every red light.
“Marcus, lock down the east wing,” Victor ordered through the speakerphone.
“I am trying, but someone is overriding the system manually,” Marcus replied.
“Where is Poppy?” Victor demanded.
“She is with Teddy in the safe room.”
“Call Teddy now.”
Victor listened to the dial tone ring through the car speakers.
No one answered.
“Teddy’s comms are completely dark,” Marcus said, panic rising in his voice.
Victor’s mind flashed to the young guard he had trusted with the child.
If Teddy was compromised, Poppy was defenseless.
“I am ten minutes away,” Victor growled.
“Arm the perimeter guards and shoot anyone who approaches the safe room.”
The rain continued to batter the windshield as Victor pushed the engine harder.
He finally saw the stone gates of Harrow Point looming in the distance.
The front gate was wide open, the security barrier smashed to pieces.
Victor did not bother parking in the driveway.
He drove the SUV straight across the manicured lawn and slammed the brakes near the front steps.
He jumped out, his gun raised, and kicked the front doors open.
The grand foyer was eerily silent.
The lights were flickering, casting long shadows against the marble floors.
Victor moved tactically toward the safe room in the east wing.
He found two of his perimeter guards lying unconscious in the hallway.
He reached the reinforced steel door of the safe room.
It was unlocked.
Victor pushed the door open, his heart pounding in his throat.
Teddy was slumped against the wall, bleeding heavily from a wound in his shoulder.
The room was completely empty.
Poppy was gone.
Teddy looked up at Victor with fading eyes.
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“I’m sorry, boss,” Teddy gasped.
“It was Marcus.”
