Chapter 4 - THE TICKET TO NOWHERE
I stared at the train ticket in my hand, the crisp white paper feeling unnaturally heavy. Vanessa Bellini. Midnight freight. “I don't understand,” I whispered, looking from the ticket to Teresa’s pale face. “If her brothers are moving Isabella on the train, why does Vanessa have a ticket in her own name?” Teresa gripped the banister, struggling to catch her breath. Daniel rushed to her other side, wrapping his small arm around his grandmother’s waist to help support her weight. “Because Vanessa wasn't planning on staying for the wedding,” Teresa rasped, her eyes sharp despite her physical weakness. “She slipped this ticket into her coat pocket when she came inside from the rain this afternoon. I took it when she wasn't looking.” The puzzle pieces shifted, forming a completely different picture. Vanessa hadn't manipulated Isabella’s kidnapping just to marry Luca. “She’s running away,” I realized out loud. “Yes,” Teresa nodded. “She used the engagement to get close to Luca’s accounts. To map his security. To find the vulnerabilities. She was never going to walk down the aisle. She’s stealing from him, and tonight is the night she disappears.” “But why take Isabella on the same train?” Daniel asked, his voice trembling. Teresa looked at her grandson with profound sadness. “Because Isabella is the only leverage the Bellini family has to stop your father from hunting Vanessa down once he realizes his money is gone.” My blood ran cold. Vanessa wasn't just a toxic fiancée. She was the architect of a massive heist, using Isabella’s life as a shield to secure her own escape. “We have to tell Mr. Moretti,” I said urgently. I pulled my cell phone from my apron pocket and dialed Luca’s number. It went straight to voicemail. “He’s already en route to the railyard,” I said, panic rising in my chest. “He doesn't know Vanessa is planning to flee. He thinks she’s just a pawn.” “Hannah,” Teresa said firmly, leaning against the wall. “Take Daniel to the safe room. Then go to the study. You have to confront Vanessa. You have to find out exactly what she stole, or Luca won't know what he’s walking into at that railyard.” “Me?” I panicked. “Mrs. Moretti, I’m a maid. I pour coffee. I can’t interrogate a mafia boss’s fiancée!” “You are the only one in this house she underestimates,” Teresa countered, her dark eyes locking onto mine. “She thinks you’re weak because you need the money. Prove her wrong.” I looked at Daniel. He was clutching his mother’s diamond teardrop necklace in his hand. He looked up at me, his eyes wide and trusting. I thought of my own mother. I thought of the agonizing physical therapy bills, the constant fear of eviction, the cruel way Vanessa had threatened my livelihood just hours ago. I had spent my entire life keeping my head down. Tonight, that ended. “Come on,” I told Daniel. I rushed them down the hallway to the master suite. Behind a hidden panel in the walk-in closet was the reinforced steel door of the safe room. I opened it, ushered them inside, and activated the internal locks. “Do not open this door unless you hear my voice or your father’s,” I instructed Daniel. He nodded bravely. “Be careful, Hannah.” I closed the heavy steel door. The locks engaged with a solid, echoing thud. I turned and ran back down the grand staircase. The mansion was eerily quiet. The forty guests were gone. Most of Luca’s security team had deployed with him to the railyard, leaving only two guards stationed in the foyer. I walked directly to the heavy oak doors of Luca’s private study. “Mr. Moretti said no one goes in,” the guard warned, stepping in front of the door. “I need to get her coat,” I lied smoothly. “Mrs. Moretti requested it for evidence.” The guard hesitated, then unlocked the door and stepped aside. I pushed the door open. The study was dark, illuminated only by a single brass desk lamp. Vanessa was pacing frantically like a caged animal. Her red gown was torn at the hem, her hair a messy, frantic halo around her face. When she saw me, she let out a harsh, bitter laugh. “What do you want, maid?” Vanessa spat. “Come to gloat? Come to clean up my mess?” I didn't answer. I walked over to the heavy mahogany desk and tossed the train ticket onto the polished wood. Vanessa froze. Her eyes locked onto the ticket. The remaining color drained from her face. “Where did you get that?” she whispered. “Teresa found it,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “You aren't a hostage to your brothers, Vanessa. You’re the mastermind. You’re running.” Vanessa stared at the ticket. Then, a slow, malicious smile spread across her face. “The old bat actually has some life left in her,” Vanessa sneered. She walked over to the desk and picked up the ticket. “It doesn't matter. Luca is already gone. And by the time he figures out what I’ve done, I’ll be halfway across the country.” “What did you steal?” I demanded. Vanessa laughed. “I didn't steal anything. I just moved it. Luca was so eager to prove he trusted me, so eager to build a new life, he gave me access to his offshore routing numbers. I drained the accounts three hours ago. Sixty million dollars, Hannah. Poof. Gone.” I stared at her in horror. “You ruined him.” “He ruined himself by being weak,” Vanessa countered. “He couldn't get over Isabella, so he tried to replace her. I just took advantage of his grief.” “Isabella is going to tell him everything when he rescues her at the railyard,” I said fiercely. Vanessa’s smile vanished. It was replaced by a look of pure, chilling evil. “Oh, Hannah,” Vanessa whispered. “You really are just a naive little maid.” She leaned across the desk, her eyes gleaming with triumph. “Luca isn't going to rescue Isabella at the railyard.” My stomach dropped. “What do you mean?” “I mean the railyard is a trap,” Vanessa said smoothly. “My brothers aren't putting Isabella on a train. They’re putting her in the ground. The railyard is rigged with enough explosives to level a city block. Luca is walking his entire security force into an ambush. And Isabella isn't even there.” I stopped breathing. “Where is she?” Vanessa tapped a manicured finger against her chin. “You know,” Vanessa mocked, “I think I’ll keep that a secret. Just in case I need a bargaining chip.” Suddenly, a loud, heavy BZZZT echoed from Vanessa’s discarded coat hanging on the leather chair. A cell phone. Vanessa lunged for the coat, but I was closer. I grabbed the coat, shoved my hand into the pocket, and pulled out a black burner phone. I looked at the illuminated screen. It was a text message from an unknown number. The package is secure at the cabin. Awaiting your signal to finalize. I looked up at Vanessa. She stared at the phone in my hand, sheer panic finally breaking through her arrogant facade. “Give me that phone,” Vanessa demanded, taking a step toward me. I didn't hesitate. I threw the burner phone as hard as I could against the stone fireplace. The plastic casing shattered into a dozen pieces, destroying the screen and the battery. Vanessa screamed in fury. I turned and bolted for the study doors.
