Alessandro’s jaw tightened.
« He lied. »
« I know. »
« I realized it after we arrived. »
Rosa quietly placed fresh coffee on the table.
No one touched it.
Emma sat on the floor beside Mateo, building a castle from wooden blocks as though nothing dangerous existed beyond the front door.
Children possessed a remarkable gift.
They could create small islands of peace while adults drowned in fear.
Alessandro’s phone vibrated again.
Victor.
He answered immediately.
« Talk. »
Victor’s voice was unusually tense.
« We searched Vincent’s apartment. »
« And? »
« He disappeared six hours ago. »
Alessandro wasn’t surprised.
« What else? »
« We found a storage locker. »
« Inside were passports. »
« Cash. »
« Several prepaid phones. »
« And photographs. »
« What photographs? »
Victor paused.
« Boss… »
« …they’ve been watching Mateo for much longer than we thought. »
A moment later Victor forwarded the images.
Alessandro opened the first one.
His chest tightened.
Mateo playing in a neighborhood park.
Another.
