Chapter 11 - ST. RAPHAEL’S
St. Raphael’s had been closed for six years.
Rain hit the stained-glass windows as Rocco’s vehicles arrived.
The side door was open.
Someone had beaten them there.
Audrey stayed in the armored car with two guards while Rocco, Gary, and Preston entered.
Preston insisted on going.
“If this is about my father, I’m not waiting outside.”
The chapel smelled of dust and wet stone.
Behind the altar, they found fresh scratches on the floor.
A trapdoor opened into a narrow storage room.
Carlo Venn was there.
He held a leather ledger in one hand and a pistol in the other.
“Back up.”
Rocco stopped.
“You introduced my daughter to a man you intended to use.”
Carlo smiled.
“I introduced two useful families.”
Preston stepped forward.
“You killed my father.”
Carlo’s smile faded.
“Your father made an emotional mistake.”
“He believed evidence mattered more than leverage.”
Preston lunged.
Gary caught him before the gun fired.
The bullet struck stone.
Rocco’s guards rushed in from the second entrance.
Carlo dropped the weapon when he realized he was surrounded.
Then he laughed.
“You think Brenda was the plan?”
Rocco took the ledger from him.
“She was one part.”
Carlo looked toward the chapel doors.
“Ask where Audrey is.”
Rocco’s blood went cold.
Gary grabbed his radio.
No answer.
They ran outside.
The armored car was still there.
One guard lay unconscious beside it.
The second was missing.
The rear door stood open.
Audrey was gone.
On the seat was her phone.
A new message filled the screen.
BRING THE LEDGER TO THE OLD HALE HOUSE.
May you like
COME ALONE.
OR THE BABY PAYS FOR YOUR PRIDE.
