Chapter 5 - Voice from the Dead
The harsh ringing echoed off the concrete walls like an alarm.
Beatrice dropped the bloody gauze and reached for her pistol.
Enzo slowly stood up, ignoring the burning pain in his side.
He walked toward the desk, his eyes locked on the ancient black telephone.
No one in the world knew this number.
No one except his father, and the brother he thought was dead.
The phone rang a fifth time, sounding impossibly loud in the quiet room.
Beatrice aimed her gun at the door, silently signaling Enzo to answer it.
He picked up the receiver and brought it to his ear.
He did not say a word, waiting for the caller to speak first.
A slow, raspy chuckle came through the earpiece.
The voice was older, rougher, but undeniably familiar.
Marco spoke, asking his little brother how he liked the fireworks at the estate.
Enzo gripped the edge of the desk, anger replacing his fear.
He demanded to know why Marco had butchered their own family.
Marco sighed, saying the family had gone soft under Enzo’s leadership.
He claimed it was time for a violent cleansing.
But then Marco’s tone shifted, becoming sharp and businesslike.
He said the attack tonight was merely a favor he was doing for some very dangerous friends.
Friends who were looking for a ghost.
Marco told Enzo to put the maid on the line.
Enzo looked at Beatrice, hesitating for a fraction of a second.
He handed her the receiver, watching her face closely.
Beatrice held the phone to her ear, remaining completely silent.
Marco laughed again, saying she was just as quiet as he had been warned.
He told her he had a gift for her, something to prove his new friends were serious.
A loud scuffling sound came through the phone, followed by a heavy blow.
A woman’s voice gasped in pain on the other end of the line.
Beatrice’s eyes widened, her stoic facade breaking for the first time.
The captive woman screamed into the phone, begging for help.
She screamed a name that echoed loudly in the quiet safehouse.
May you like
She screamed for Katerina.
Enzo froze, his blood turning to ice as he heard that name.
