Chapter 6 - The Poisoner's Web
The realization hit me like a physical blow. A long black dress.
Veronica had attended the birthday party wearing an exquisite black velvet gown with custom silver buttons running along the sleeves.
“Arthur,” I barked, moving toward the door. “Where is Veronica?”
“She’s in the East Conservatory with the senior estate guests,” Arthur replied, drawing his weapon.
We rushed down the long marble corridor toward the East Conservatory—a glass-domed room filled with exotic orchids and marble statues.
When we kicked open the glass doors, the room was empty. A side emergency exit door was propped open with a brass candlestick, leading out toward the private underground garage where the executive vehicles were parked.
On the floor near the exit lay Veronica’s discarded silver clutch bag. Inside was an encrypted satellite tablet, a master administrative access keycard, and an open silver box containing tiny traces of white, concentrated powder.
“She’s fleeing to the private helipad on the north ridge!” Arthur shouted, checking his tactical radar. “She has a private helicopter on standby!”
I turned to Gabriel, who had followed us down the hall. “Take Clara, Lily, Eleanor, and Ethan to the central panic vault. Seal the titanium doors from the inside and do not open them for anyone except me.”
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Gabriel looked into my eyes, his face full of determination. “I swear on my life, Julian. No one touches Ethan.”
I grabbed my coat and sprinted out into the dark, rain-swept grounds toward the north ridge, where the loud, rhythmic beating of helicopter blades echoed through the night sky.
