Chapter 6 - The Coat
Mave looked down at the thin thrift-store trench coat she was currently wearing.
"It is back at your mansion," she admitted quietly.
"It is hanging in the closet of my room."
Leo cursed loudly in Italian and threw the SUV into reverse.
"Carmine was inspecting the staff quarters when I left to come find you," Leo said.
Mave's blood turned completely to ice in her veins.
"Carmine knows about the key?" she asked.
"Carmine is the one who sold your location to the Russians," Leo revealed darkly.
"I found the wire transfers on his desk ten minutes after you ran away."
Leo sped through the slick city streets, running every red light in the industrial district.
They needed to reach the mansion before Carmine found the hidden key.
They tore through the iron security gates of the estate and skidded to a halt on the gravel.
Leo drew his weapon and kicked the heavy oak front doors open.
The mansion was completely dark and entirely silent.
"Stay behind me," Leo ordered, stepping carefully into the grand foyer.
They moved slowly toward the hallway leading to the servant's quarters.
The door to Mave's small room was wide open.
Leo swept the room with his pistol, but it was empty.
Mave rushed past him and threw open her small wooden closet.
Her heavy winter coat was lying in a heap on the floor.
The internal lining had been slashed to ribbons with a sharp knife.
The brass key was completely gone.
"He took it," Mave whispered, falling to her knees.
May you like
A slow, mocking clap echoed from the dark hallway behind them.
Carmine stepped into the doorway, holding the brass key in one hand and a heavy shotgun in the other.
