Before I could answer, the study door opened.
Vincent entered without knocking.
His expression told me something had changed.
“What?” I asked.
“We found a listening device beneath Elena’s car.”
Elena went pale.
Vincent placed a small black transmitter on the desk.
“Military-grade. Recently installed.”
I looked at Elena.
“Who knew you were coming here today?”
“No one.”
“You came by bus.”
“My neighbor drove me halfway because of the rain. I borrowed her car from the station.”
“So the device may have been planted earlier.”
Vincent nodded.
“Someone has been tracking her.”
A guard’s voice crackled through Vincent’s earpiece.
He listened, then turned toward the window.
“What is it?” I demanded.
“Unknown vehicle outside the east gate.”
“Plate?”
“Stolen.”
“How many?”
“Two men visible.”
I moved toward the door.
“Lock down the house.”
Vincent caught my arm.
“Adrian, this could be exactly what they want.”
I pulled free.
“Then disappoint them.”
The mansion transformed in seconds.
Steel shutters descended over the lower windows. Guards moved through the hallways with weapons drawn. The electronic gates sealed. Every exterior light blazed against the rain.
Elena ran toward the kitchen.
I followed.
Lily stood near the island, holding a wooden spoon like a sword while the cook crouched beside her.
When she saw me, her face brightened.
“You still have the colors!”
Then she noticed the guards.
Her smile vanished.
“Mommy?”
Elena dropped to her knees and pulled Lily into her arms.
“It’s all right, sweetheart.”
But children hear fear even when adults hide it.
Lily looked at me.
“Is Buttons in trouble?”
I realized I still had the battered rabbit tucked beneath one arm.
“No,” I said. “Buttons is safe.”
A sharp crack sounded outside.
Then another.
Gunfire.
Elena covered Lily’s ears.
The guards shifted into position.
“Safe room,” Vincent ordered.
I took Lily before Elena could protest.
The child clung to my neck, trembling now.
“What was that noise?”
“Thunder.”
