Chapter 5 - THE HOUSE WHERE NOBODY LAUGHED
Dante Salvatore lived in a mansion overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
I didn't see it until the third day.
By then, Elena had helped me begin emergency custody proceedings.
Richard had been served with legal notices.
And I had given investigators copies of the documents I'd found.
Dante called that afternoon.
“Clare.”
I smiled faintly.
“Mr. Salvatore.”
“Dante.”
I laughed softly.
“Dante.”
He hesitated.
“Leo hasn't been feeding well.”
My heart tightened.
“Has his pediatrician seen him?”
“Yes. He's medically stable, but he's struggling with feeding.”
I nodded.
“I'm sorry.”
Dante paused.
“Would you be willing to come by and speak with his nurse?”
I looked toward Maya.
She was building a tower from hotel cups.
“I can come for a consultation.”
“Of course.”
“And Maya comes with me.”
“Absolutely.”
That afternoon, I entered the Salvatore mansion.
It was enormous.
Beautiful.
And strangely silent.
No music.
No laughter.
No toys scattered across the floor.
Just polished marble and expensive furniture.
Then I heard Leo crying.
Dante appeared at the top of the stairs.
His expression changed when he saw me.
Relief.
“Clare.”
I smiled.
May you like
“Where's my patient?”
For the first time, Dante Salvatore laughed.
