Chapter 5 - One Million Dollars for a Child
Preston called at 6:17 p.m.
Mia answered on speaker.
“Where is Daniel?”
Preston chuckled.
“Still rude after all these years.”
“Let me hear him.”
“You don't set terms.”
Enzo stood across the room.
Rosa sat beside Mia.
Preston continued.
“You embarrassed me.”
“You hit me.”
“You interfered.”
“You tried to hit a child.”
“My child.”
Mia's voice sharpened.
“You lost the right to call him that.”
Silence.
Then Preston said, “One million dollars.”
Mia stared at the phone.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“For Daniel?”
“For the files you stole from Meridian Street.”
Enzo whispered, “Tell him yes.”
Mia looked at him.
He nodded.
“Yes,” she said. “Where?”
“Pier fourteen. Midnight.”
Enzo stepped closer to the phone.
Preston laughed.
“I know you're there, Marra.”
Enzo spoke.
“You took the wrong child.”
“No. I took exactly the right one.”
“If he's hurt—”
“You'll do what? Kill me?”
Preston sounded almost amused.
“You've been threatening people so long you've forgotten threats only work when a man believes he has something to lose.”
Enzo's voice lowered.
“You do.”
“What?”
“Everything.”
Preston ended the call.
Mia turned on Enzo.
“You're not giving him the real files.”
“No.”
“He'll know.”
“Yes.”
“And Daniel is standing beside him when he finds out.”
Enzo looked at her.
“I'm bringing Preston something more valuable than the files.”
“What?”
“Me.”
Midnight.
Pier fourteen.
Rain hammered the harbor.
Mia remained inside a surveillance van despite arguing for twenty straight minutes.
Through the camera feed she saw Preston beneath an industrial awning.
Daniel sat in a chair beside him.
Unhurt.
Terrified.
Detective Mercer stood nearby.
Enzo approached alone carrying a case.
Preston smiled.
“The great Enzo Marra.”
“Let the boy go.”
“The files.”
Enzo placed the case down.
“First Daniel walks.”
“No.”
Enzo looked at Mercer.
“You picked up Rosa's disappearance seven years ago.”
Mercer's face tightened.
“Don't.”
“You told me young women made choices their families didn't understand.”
Preston glanced at Mercer.
Enzo continued.
“You were already being paid.”
Mercer whispered, “Shut up.”
“You sold my sister.”
“I didn't touch her.”
“No. You simply told Hale exactly when she left church.”
Mercer reached beneath his coat.
Preston snapped, “Don't be stupid.”
Enzo didn't move.
“You know why Rosa was taken?”
Mercer stared.
“Because she saw Preston transfer money through a church charity.”
Preston's face changed.
Enzo smiled without warmth.
“Thank you.”
Preston looked toward the shadows.
Red and blue lights ignited across the pier.
Federal agents emerged.
Mercer spun toward Preston.
“You said you had this handled!”
Preston grabbed Daniel.
Mia was out of the van before anyone could stop her.
“Mia!”
She ran.
“Daniel!”
Preston pulled the boy backward.
“Stay there!”
Mia stopped.
Daniel's face was white with fear.
Enzo slowly stepped between them.
“Preston.”
“Back up.”
“You want leverage? Take me.”
Preston laughed.
“You?”
“You've spent years worrying about what happens if I learn the truth.”
Enzo spread his hands.
“Here I am.”
Daniel looked at Enzo.
Enzo looked back.
“Remember what Rosa told you, buddy.”
Daniel's eyes filled with tears.
“Silence belongs to you.”
Something changed in the boy's face.
Preston tightened his grip.
Daniel suddenly shouted.
“No!”
Everyone froze.
Mia covered her mouth.
Daniel stomped hard on Preston's foot and twisted away.
Enzo moved forward.
Agents rushed in.
Mia caught Daniel.
He crashed into her chest.
“Mom!”
Mia fell to her knees.
“What?”
Daniel sobbed.
“Mom!”
She held his face.
“Say it again.”
“Mom.”
Mia pulled him against her.
Across the pier, Preston was forced to the ground.
Mercer was handcuffed beside him.
Enzo stood in the rain watching Daniel cling to Mia.
Rosa approached her brother.
“You okay?”
Enzo nodded.
She looked at him.
“You're lying.”
“Yes.”
“Better than before.”
He watched Mia kiss Daniel's hair.
“I thought finding you would fix everything.”
Rosa took his arm.
“It doesn't work like that.”
“No.”
“What now?”
Enzo looked toward Mia.
May you like
“Now I figure out what comes after revenge.”
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