Chapter 2 - The Lockdown
The heavy iron gates at the end of the driveway slammed shut with a deafening clang.
Elena jumped at the sound.
Steel shutters began sliding down over every window in the mansion, plunging the hallways into artificial light.
Dante pulled a radio from his belt.
"No one gets in, and absolutely no one gets out."
He looked back at Elena, his dark eyes analyzing her every movement.
"Take your daughter to the main kitchen and wait there."
"I want to go home," Elena pleaded, pulling Sophia closer to her leg.
"Nobody goes home until I find out who poisoned my boss."
Titan bumped his massive head against Sophia's hip, offering comfort.
"I need to take my dog with me," Sophia announced to the heavily armed man.
Dante looked at the beast that usually answered only to Adrian.
"Fine."
"The dog stays with you."
Elena didn't argue anymore, she just wanted to get away from the blood on the study floor.
She hurried down the grand staircase, gripping Sophia's hand tightly while Titan trotted faithfully behind them.
The kitchen was already in a state of sheer panic.
Chefs, maids, and groundskeepers were huddled together near the stainless steel counters.
Mrs. Bellini, the elderly head housekeeper, rushed forward when she saw them.
"Elena, thank God you are both safe," she cried out.
Before Elena could answer, four of Dante's men marched into the kitchen.
"Everyone line up against the wall," the lead guard barked.
They began checking pockets, searching aprons, and patting down the terrified staff.
"We just serve the food, we don't poison it," the head chef argued nervously.
The guard shoved him roughly against the refrigerator.
"Keep your mouth shut until Dante gets here."
Elena stood perfectly still as a guard approached her.
Titan immediately stepped in front of her, issuing a warning growl that echoed off the tile walls.
The guard froze, raising his hands slowly.
"Call him off, Elena," Dante's voice commanded from the kitchen doorway.
Elena quickly nudged Sophia, who whispered something to the dog to calm him down.
Dante walked straight toward the line of frightened employees.
He was holding a clear plastic evidence bag.
Inside the bag was a tiny, empty glass vial with a black rubber stopper.
"We found the poison container," Dante announced softly, though his voice carried lethal intent.
"It was a highly concentrated paralytic toxin."
He paced slowly down the line of workers.
"Whoever did this didn't just walk in off the street."
"They knew his schedule, they knew his habits, and they had access to his private quarters."
Dante stopped directly in front of Elena.
He looked down at the mop bucket and cleaning cart parked near the pantry door.
"Is that your cart, Elena?"
Elena swallowed hard, her throat feeling like sandpaper.
"Yes, sir."
Dante gestured to his men.
Two guards stepped forward and violently ripped the cart apart.
Towels, spray bottles, and sponges scattered across the spotless floor.
One of the guards reached deep into the side pocket of Elena's gray canvas supply bag.
May you like
He pulled his hand out and held something up to the harsh fluorescent lights.
It was a black rubber stopper, perfectly matching the empty vial in Dante's evidence bag.
