Chapter 6 - Night at the Townhouse
The storm that had battered Chicago four days ago had cleared, leaving behind a pitch-black, freezing autumn night.
The Lincoln Park townhouse stood dark and silent. To anyone passing by, the house looked entirely abandoned—the curtains drawn, the driveway empty, no lights visible from the street.
Inside, the atmosphere was thick with tension.
Detective Vance and three armed tactical officers were stationed in the basement and kitchen, monitoring silent infrared security cameras positioned throughout the home.
Michael sat in the shadows of his dark study on the second floor, holding a cup of cold coffee. Miss Ruth sat across from him, her hands folded calmly in her lap.
"You should be at the Lake Forest house with Ethan, Ruth," Michael said softly in the dark.
"Ethan is safe with his grandfather and the guards, Michael," Miss Ruth replied quietly. "I’ve been in this family for twelve years. I was here when your late wife passed away. I watched you lose your way, and I watched that creature try to devour your boy. I am not leaving until she is in chains."
At 2:15 AM, a faint sound echoed from the ground floor.
Click.
It was the sound of glass breaking softly in the back patio door—a small, precise circle cut into the double-paned glass, followed by the slide of a deadbolt.
Michael’s heart began to hammer against his ribs, but he didn't move.
On the silent monitor in front of him, a dark figure slipped through the kitchen door. She was dressed entirely in black—tactical trousers, a dark hoodie, and a leather mask covering the lower half of her face.
She moved with terrifying grace, barely making a sound as her boots glided across the rug.
She didn't head upstairs toward the bedrooms. She went straight for the living room fireplace.
On the infrared monitor, they watched her reach her gloved hand up into the carved wooden mantelpiece, feeling around the hidden compartment. Her fingers found the duplicate silver key.
She pulled it out, letting out a soft, audible sigh of relief in the dark room.
"Got you," she whispered to herself.
She turned to leave, slipping the key into her pocket.
May you like
Suddenly, the overhead chandelier blazed to life, blinding her in a flood of brilliant light.
"Looking for this, Lauren?" Michael’s voice boomed from the top of the grand staircase.
