Chapter 10 - THE NIGHT OF THE BROKEN GATE
Victor attempted to flee the following night. Investigators tracking the financial conspiracy obtained warrants for several properties, including a warehouse near Newark. Before they could execute them, Victor's driver headed toward a private airfield.
At the same time, someone cut the power to the Montclair rental where Elena and Sophia were staying. The porch light died. A vehicle rolled to a stop outside. Elena heard a gate latch lift.
She took Sophia into the bathroom, locked the door, and called emergency services. Then she called Carlo, whose number Dante had asked her to keep.
"Someone's here," she whispered.
Carlo told her to remain inside and follow the dispatcher. Police arrived within minutes. Two men fled through the backyard; one was detained, the other identified later from traffic cameras. Neither reached the house.
Sophia held Mr. Whiskers against her face. "Are the bad people coming?"
Elena knelt and wrapped her arms around her. "The police are here. We're staying together."
Across the state, officers stopped Victor's vehicle before it reached the airfield. He was arrested on charges connected to the freight conspiracy and witness intimidation. His phone and documents were seized under warrant.
Dante received the news while standing outside the Montclair house. He had not entered without Elena's invitation. When she opened the door, he saw the exhaustion on her face and Sophia asleep against her shoulder.
"They caught Victor," he said.
Elena closed her eyes. Relief came slowly, as if her body no longer trusted good news.
"Does that mean we're safe?"
"It means he's in custody. It doesn't mean the investigation is finished."
She nodded. "Thank you for telling me the truth."
He looked at the little girl. "She should never have been threatened because of my family."
"No," Elena said. "She shouldn't."
They stood in silence. Dante wanted to promise that everything would be fine. Instead he asked what they needed tonight.
May you like
"A working light," Elena said. "And sleep."
He arranged an electrician through the landlord and left them to rest.
