Chapter 7 - THE NIGHT THE SECURITY CHIEF VANISHED
Matteo disappeared before sunrise.
His room was empty.
His phone had been left on the desk.
And several electronic access credentials had been disabled.
Enzo's attorney immediately contacted investigators.
The household security arrangements were transferred to an independent firm.
Wren found Enzo in the rehabilitation room.
He was staring at the parallel bars.
"Do you want to try?" she asked.
He looked up.
"Try what?"
"Whatever your therapist recommends."
He gave a bitter smile.
"You think I can stand?"
"I think your rehabilitation team can assess what movements are safe and useful. I don't make promises your spinal cord hasn't made."
Enzo studied her.
Then laughed softly.
"That's the least romantic encouragement I've ever heard."
Wren smiled.
"I'm a nurse. We specialize in disappointing speeches."
Dr. Shaw and a physical therapist adjusted Enzo's rehabilitation plan.
The focus was not on a miraculous recovery.
It was on independence.
Transfers.
Pressure relief.
Upper-body strength.
Wheelchair mobility.
Adaptive equipment.
Enzo initially resisted.
Then began participating more actively.
Meanwhile, investigators traced Matteo's financial activity.
They found payments from a company connected to Victor Salerno.
The payments began six months before Enzo's accident.
Gabe identified Adrian Bell from a photograph.
Adrian had worked as a private medical transport coordinator.
He had also been connected to Salerno's logistics network.
Wren sat beside Gabe as he gave his statement.
Her brother's hands shook.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
She looked at him.
"For what?"
"For getting you into this."
Wren took his hand.
"You made mistakes."
He nodded.
"But someone else chose to exploit them."
Gabe began working with legal counsel to address the debt and cooperate with investigators.
He also enrolled in a vocational training program.
For the first time in months, he had a plan that didn't involve running.
That evening, Enzo asked Wren to join him on the terrace.
The air was cool.
The garden lights glowed beneath the trees.
He looked at her.
"Why did you come back?"
Wren considered.
"Because I wanted answers."
"And now?"
She smiled faintly.
"Now I want to see what happens when you stop letting other people decide who you are."
Enzo looked away.
May you like
Then quietly said:
"So do I."
