Chapter 3 - The Price of Knowing Adrian DeMarco
Olivia arrived at Adrian’s estate twenty minutes later.
She pushed past two security men before Adrian appeared.
She slapped him.
The room went silent.
Adrian didn't move.
“Where is Noah?”
“We’re locating him.”
“You said I was safe.”
“I was wrong.”
“You put people outside my apartment.”
“They were pulled away by a false emergency.”
“Then your protection was useless!”
“Yes.”
His answer stopped her.
There was no excuse.
No attempt to defend himself.
Adrian looked at her.
“I failed.”
Olivia’s eyes filled, but she refused to cry.
“What do they want?”
“Me.”
“Then give them you.”
Several men in the room looked at her.
Adrian didn't.
“If that brings Noah home, I will.”
A lieutenant stepped forward.
“Boss—”
“Leave us.”
“Adrian—”
“Now.”
Everyone obeyed.
Olivia looked at him.
“You would actually do it?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Adrian’s jaw tightened.
“Because Noah is nine.”
“That isn't the whole answer.”
“No.”
“Then what is?”
He looked at her for a long moment.
“Because I brought this into your life.”
A laptop chimed.
Adrian crossed the room.
A message had arrived.
A photograph.
Noah sat inside an unfamiliar room holding his backpack against his chest.
He appeared frightened but physically unharmed.
Olivia grabbed Adrian’s arm.
“That's him.”
Adrian studied every detail.
No windows.
Concrete wall.
Metal shelving.
A bird sticker on a pipe behind Noah.
Then another message appeared.
MIDNIGHT TOMORROW.
COME ALONE.
BRING THE LEDGER.
Olivia read it.
“What ledger?”
Adrian didn’t answer.
“Adrian.”
“It contains information that could destroy Victor Soren’s network.”
“So give it to them.”
“If I give them the original, Soren can erase evidence that protects hundreds of people he controls through debt and blackmail.”
“I don't care about your ledger!”
“I know.”
“Noah is my responsibility.”
“And now he is mine too.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
Adrian moved closer.
“You can hate me when this is finished.”
“I already do.”
“I know.”
“Bring him back anyway.”
Adrian held her gaze.
“I will.”
Then Olivia noticed something in the photograph.
“Wait.”
She enlarged Noah’s backpack.
Three fingers were visible against the fabric.
Then two.
Then three.
“What?”
Olivia leaned closer.
“He’s telling me something.”
“With his fingers?”
“We have signals.”
She examined the picture.
“Three-two-three.”
Adrian frowned.
“What does that mean?”
Olivia suddenly turned toward the wall map.
“Birds.”
“Olivia.”
“Noah uses bird codes when he’s overwhelmed. Three-two-three is his number for a species in his field guide.”
She grabbed her phone.
“Species 323…”
Her fingers shook.
Then she found it.
“Black-crowned night heron.”
Adrian stared at her.
“And?”
“Noah saw them last spring.”
“Where?”
Olivia looked at the city map.
“At the old East Meridian wetlands.”
Adrian was already calling his men.
“Search every warehouse within two miles of the wetlands.”
Olivia caught his sleeve.
“No.”
He looked down.
“They’ll move Noah if they see your people.”
Adrian knew she was right.
“So what do you suggest?”
Olivia looked again at Noah’s photograph.
“My brother is trying to tell us where he is.”
Her fear hardened into determination.
May you like
“So we listen.”
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