Chapter 4 - THE RED DOOR
The Russo estate had three underground levels.
The first contained storage rooms.
The second held a private garage.
The third had been sealed for years.
Vincent claimed it was unused.
Paulie said it contained old security infrastructure.
But Nora had seen the architectural plans.
She had found them in a storage cabinet while helping Camila organize photographs.
The plans showed a service elevator descending below the third level.
A fourth level.
One that did not appear in the estate's official records.
Nora studied the drawing.
Her father's handwriting appeared in the margin.
M. HAYES — ELEVATOR MODIFICATION, 2014.
Her breath caught.
The year he disappeared.
She folded the plan.
Then heard footsteps.
Vincent stood in the doorway.
“What are you doing?”
Nora turned.
Her heart pounded.
“I found something.”
He looked at the paper.
Then at her face.
“What?”
Nora held out the plan.
“My father worked here.”
Vincent went still.
“Your father?”
“Michael Hayes.”
The color drained from Vincent's face.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Vincent whispered:
“That's impossible.”
Nora stared.
“Why?”
Vincent looked at the plan.
May you like
Then at her.
“Because Michael Hayes died in this house.”
