Chapter 7 - The Hostage Game
The gunshot echoed through the massive foyer.
Norah flinched as the agency director's body hit the marble floor.
Dominic instantly raised his weapon and aimed it squarely at Vincenzo's face.
Vincenzo's men raised their rifles in response.
A deadly standoff froze the entire house.
Vincenzo leaned on his silver cane and chuckled.
He told Dominic that shooting him would result in everyone dying.
Norah realized Vincenzo wanted the ledger more than he wanted blood.
She stepped around Dominic and faced the monster directly.
She lied and said she knew exactly where the ledger was hidden.
Dominic looked at her in panic.
Vincenzo's eyes lit up with greedy fascination.
He asked her to show him the prize.
Norah set her terms immediately.
She demanded that Vincenzo's men leave the house and disarm.
She also demanded safe passage for herself and Dominic.
Vincenzo agreed a little too quickly.
He ordered his men to step outside and wait on the porch.
The mansion grew unnervingly quiet again.
Norah told Vincenzo the ledger was in the locked room in the east wing.
Vincenzo looked surprised.
He muttered that he had searched that room a dozen times.
Norah tapped her silver pendant.
She said it required a specific key.
Vincenzo motioned for them to lead the way.
Dominic walked closely beside Norah.
He whispered that she was making a fatal mistake.
Norah whispered back that she needed five minutes to create a distraction.
They reached the heavy wooden door at the end of the east wing.
It was covered in dust and sealed with a heavy brass padlock.
Norah took the locket from her neck.
She pressed a hidden latch on the side of the pendant.
A small, jagged key popped out from the silver casing.
She inserted it into the padlock and turned it.
The lock clicked open.
Norah pushed the door wide open.
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Vincenzo stepped inside greedily.
He froze in absolute horror at what was waiting in the center of the room.
