Chapter 7 - THE NIGHT ANNA REFUSED TO RUN
Detective Ruiz arrived at the estate the following morning.
She interviewed Anna privately.
Photographed the envelope.
Collected the threatening message.
And asked whether Anna wanted assistance making a safety plan.
Anna nodded.
“Yes.”
Ruiz looked at her.
“Has anyone threatened you before?”
Anna hesitated.
“Victor Hale warned me not to let Sophie talk about Mr. Moretti's neck.”
Ruiz made notes.
“Exactly what did he say?”
Anna repeated the conversation.
Ruiz listened carefully.
Then said:
“Thank you. We'll document this.”
Dante learned about the threat that afternoon.
He was furious.
Not at Anna.
At the idea that someone had targeted a five-year-old child.
He wanted to summon every guard in the mansion.
Anna stopped him.
“Mr. Moretti.”
He turned.
“What?”
“Please don't make this worse.”
He stared.
“Someone threatened your daughter.”
“I know.”
Her voice trembled.
“But Sophie doesn't need men with guns standing outside her window.”
Dante went silent.
Anna continued.
“She needs to feel safe.”
He looked down.
Then nodded.
“What would help?”
Anna swallowed.
“Let the police handle the threat. And please don't tell Sophie more than she needs to know.”
Dante nodded.
“All right.”
That evening, Dante arranged for Anna and Sophie to stay temporarily in a secure apartment owned by a trusted family friend, with their consent.
He also ensured Anna could continue receiving her salary without returning to the estate while the investigation continued.
Anna hesitated.
“I don't want charity.”
Dante looked at her.
“It's not charity. You're an employee who received a threat connected to this house. I have a responsibility to help keep you safe.”
She studied him.
Then nodded.
“Thank you.”
As Anna packed, Sophie looked up.
“Are we going on vacation?”
Anna smiled sadly.
“Something like that.”
Sophie grinned.
“Can I bring my crayons?”
“Of course.”
She hugged her coloring book.
Then asked:
“Will the mister be okay?”
Anna looked toward the mansion.
“I hope so, sweetheart.”
That night, Dante received a message from an unknown number.
Stop asking questions or the child won't be the only one who suffers.
He stared at the screen.
Then forwarded it to Detective Ruiz.
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For the first time in years, Dante Moretti didn't respond to a threat with a threat.
He responded with evidence.
