Chapter 14
The old church stood abandoned near the water.
Boards covered the windows.
The cross on the roof leaned sideways like it had grown tired of watching men lie.
Sister Agnes told us Maria had died there because Victor used the basement as a holding place.
My mother had written it down.
But no one had ever found proof.
Until now.
We went in through the side door.
Harris took the front with officers.
My men took the rear.
Bruno stayed low.
The little dog Nico limped beside him, refusing to be carried.
Inside, the church smelled of dust and cold stone.
We heard Elena before we saw her.
A soft sob.
Then Judge Hart’s voice.
“Stop crying. Your real family is coming.”
Luis nearly broke formation.
I held him back.
A man shouted downstairs.
“Boss, we have movement!”
Gunfire erupted.
I ran toward the basement steps.
Victor stood at the bottom holding Elena in front of him.
She looked tiny against his black coat.
His gun pressed near her shoulder.
“Stop there.”
I froze.
Luis behind me made a broken sound.
Elena cried, “Daddy.”
Victor smiled.
“Which one?”
Luis shouted, “Me!”
Victor laughed.
“Blood has rules.”
I stepped down one step.
“Blood means nothing without love.”
“Pretty words from a killer.”
“Let her go.”
“Give me the ledger.”
“It’s already with Harris.”
Victor’s smile faded.
Judge Hart appeared behind him.
“You stupid man.”
I looked at her.
“You signed orders for a murderer.”
She lifted her chin.
“I protected powerful families.”
“You sold children.”
“I preserved legacies.”
Elena whimpered.
Bruno growled.
Victor glanced at the dog.
That tiny distraction was enough.
Nico barked and lunged at Victor’s ankle.
Victor kicked out.
Elena slipped from his grip.
Luis charged.
I moved.
The gun fired.
Stone shattered beside my head.
Bruno hit Victor full force.
Luis grabbed Elena and fell backward, covering her with his body.
Harris rushed in.
Judge Hart tried to run up the rear stairs.
Tony caught her at the landing.
Victor screamed beneath Bruno’s weight.
“Call him off!”
I walked down slowly.
Elena clung to Luis.
Alive.
Safe.
For the moment.
I looked at Victor.
“My dog listened to a dead child breathe through wood.”
May you like
Then I leaned closer.
“He listens better than most men.”
