Chapter 7 - THE NIGHT LUNA DISAPPEARED
Luna vanished on a Thursday evening.
She had stayed late at the literacy center to help a student prepare for a citizenship interview.
At eight-fifteen, she texted Maria.
Leaving now. See you Sunday.
At eight-thirty, her phone stopped responding.
At nine, Luca received a message.
A photograph.
Luna sitting in a chair inside an unfamiliar room.
Her hands were tied.
Her face was pale.
Below the photograph were three words.
COME ALONE, MORETTI.
Luca stared.
Then called the police.
He provided the photograph and message.
Within minutes, investigators began coordinating a response.
Luca wanted to drive straight to the address included in the message.
Instead, he forced himself to listen.
The kidnappers wanted him alone.
They wanted him frightened.
They wanted him making mistakes.
He refused to give them that advantage.
Meanwhile, Luna sat in a windowless room trying to control her breathing.
Dmitri Kosoff stood across from her.
“You should have taken my business card.”
Luna stared.
“You were at the party.”
He smiled.
“Very observant.”
“What do you want?”
“Luca Moretti.”
She shook her head.
“Then talk to him.”
“We intend to.”
Dmitri crouched.
“You know, none of this would have happened if he'd chosen a proper bride.”
Luna looked directly at him.
“No.”
His smile faded.
“This happened because you think people are possessions.”
He slapped the table beside her.
“Be careful.”
She flinched.
Then steadied herself.
“I'm not the one who should be afraid.”
Dmitri laughed.
“You're tied to a chair.”
Luna swallowed.
“Yes.”
She lifted her chin.
“But Luca knows you're a coward.”
Dmitri's face hardened.
He turned away.
And Luna realized something.
He was nervous.
Whatever plan he had made, it wasn't going as smoothly as he'd expected.
Outside, a police surveillance team was already watching the building.
Because the photograph Dmitri had sent contained one detail he hadn't noticed.
A reflection in the window.
May you like
The name of a warehouse company.
And that company belonged to Vincent Torino.
