Chapter 4 - THE NETWORK OF REVERSAL
The freezing rain off the Oakhaven Springs hills swept through the open hallway as we rushed toward the guest suite in the east wing of the mansion.
The door was partially open, the white lace curtains blowing wildly in the wind from a shattered windowpane that let in the damp, heavy night air.
The room was completely empty.
The wrinkled wedding dress lay discarded on the floorboards, its white silk stained with dark mud, but Katherine was nowhere to be seen.
"She ran, Grace," Frank said, pointing his flashlight at the wet footprints leading out of the open window onto the muddy lawn.
"But she doesn't have her phone, and she doesn't have a car."
"She’s on foot in the middle of a November storm, wearing nothing but her undergarments."
"We have to find her before Sterling’s security team does," I said, a sudden, protective maternal fury replacing the panic in my chest.
"Because if she is the only person blocking their multi-million-dollar merger, they will not let her survive the night."
I pulled my personal smartphone from my pocket, dialing the direct, private line of my older brother, Captain Marcus of the Financial Crimes Division.
"Marcus, we have an emergency at the estate," I said, my voice carrying a cold, crystalline strength that made Caleb look up in awe.
"The Thorne-Sterling conspiracy has active units on our property, and my daughter-in-law is currently missing in the woods."
"I need your tactical unit to execute an immediate perimeter search, and I need a federal freeze on all assets tied to the Sterling Holding Group."
"I’m already on the way, Grace," Marcus’s deep, commanding voice boomed through the receiver, tight with a sudden, protective anger.
"Our forensic team just intercepted a series of encrypted text messages between Dr. Sterling and a private security detail near your road."
"They have been tracking Katherine’s location since the wedding ended."
"They are going to try to stage an 'accidental' disappearance before the board meeting tomorrow morning."
I looked at Caleb, whose eyes were filled with a profound, quiet determination that told me he was finally ready to protect his wife.
"I’m coming with you, Mom," Caleb said, his voice dropping into a low, steady register of absolute, unyielding authority.
May you like
"I was the one who built this trap."
"And I am going to be the one who tears it down."
