Chapter 6 - THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT
The power failed at 11:18 p.m.
The mansion went dark.
For three seconds, there was silence.
Then the emergency generator started.
Lights flickered.
Security alarms sounded.
I stood in my study.
My first thought was Sophia.
My second was Alina.
I called the independent security supervisor.
"Status?"
"Power disruption, sir. We're checking the perimeter."
"Where are Alina and Sophia?"
"In the east guest wing."
"Keep them there."
I hung up.
Then heard a scream.
A woman's voice.
Alina.
I ran toward the east wing.
The corridor lights were dim.
At the end of the hall, Alina stood outside Sophia's room.
She was shaking.
"Mr. Cross!"
I reached her.
"What happened?"
"Someone tried the door."
I looked inside.
Sophia sat on the bed clutching a stuffed rabbit.
Her eyes were wide.
"Boss?"
I crouched.
"Are you hurt?"
She shook her head.
I looked at Alina.
"Did you see anyone?"
"No."
A guard appeared.
"Sir, the exterior cameras went offline during the outage."
I stared.
"All of them?"
"Only the east perimeter."
That was no coincidence.
I called the police.
Then Rachel.
She arrived within the hour.
Investigators documented signs of attempted entry near the east wing.
No one was injured.
But the message was unmistakable.
Someone wanted Alina frightened.
Or silent.
I stood beside Sophia's bed while she tried to sleep.
She looked at me.
"Boss?"
"Yes?"
"Are bad people coming?"
I swallowed.
"We're making sure you're safe."
She frowned.
"Mommy says brave people get scared too."
I smiled faintly.
"Your mommy's right."
Sophia considered.
Then held out her stuffed rabbit.
"You can borrow Mr. Fluffy."
I stared.
"Are you sure?"
She nodded.
"He helps."
I took the rabbit.
"Thank you, sweetheart."
After she fell asleep, I returned it to her pillow.
Then stood in the doorway.
For forty-three years, I'd believed that fear was a weapon.
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Now I understood it was something children carried into bed.
And I hated that my world had put it there.
