Chapter 12 - THE MAN WHO CAME BACK FROM THE DEAD
By midnight, the estate was under lockdown.
Every gate was sealed.
Every vehicle searched.
Every employee questioned.
Caprice stood beside Diamond in the study while Levi reviewed security footage.
"There."
He pointed at the screen.
A black SUV.
No license plate.
It had appeared near the estate at 2:17 a.m.
Then disappeared.
Diamond narrowed his eyes.
"Enhance the driver."
Levi did.
The image sharpened.
Caprice leaned closer.
She recognized the face.
Her blood ran cold.
"That's him."
Diamond looked at her.
"Who?"
"The man from the hospital."
"What man?"
"After my mother's stroke."
Caprice swallowed.
"There was a man who kept asking questions about me."
Levi looked at Diamond.
"Why didn't you mention him?"
"I didn't know who he was."
Diamond's jaw tightened.
"Describe him."
"Gray hair. Scar here."
She touched her cheek.
"Gold watch."
Levi zoomed in.
The man's wrist appeared on screen.
A gold watch.
Diamond's expression darkened.
"I know him."
"Who?"
"My father's former lawyer."
Levi stared.
"I thought he died."
Diamond shook his head.
"He was supposed to."
Silence filled the room.
Caprice looked between them.
"What's his name?"
Diamond answered quietly.
"Marcus Vale."
Levi stepped backward.
"That's impossible."
Diamond turned.
"Nothing is impossible in my world."
A gunshot cracked somewhere outside.
Everyone froze.
Then another.
Security alarms exploded.
Levi grabbed his weapon.
"Stay here."
Diamond reached for Caprice.
"No."
She looked at him.
"You're coming with me."
"I can defend myself."
"I know."
He looked into her eyes.
"But you're staying beside me."
They moved toward the hidden corridor.
The lights suddenly went out.
Caprice heard footsteps.
Close.
Too close.
Diamond whispered:
"Don't move."
A shadow crossed the doorway.
Then disappeared.
Caprice held her breath.
Three seconds.
Five.
Ten.
Nothing.
Then Diamond's phone vibrated.
A message.
I TOLD YOU.
Another message appeared.
YOU KILLED THE WRONG MAN.
Then one final photograph.
Caprice opened it.
Her mother.
Sleeping in her room.
Alive.
But beside her bed stood Marcus Vale.
Caprice nearly dropped the phone.
Diamond saw it.
His face became terrifyingly calm.
"Levi."
"Yes?"
"Nobody leaves this house."
May you like
Diamond looked at Caprice.
"Tonight, we hunt."
