Chapter 5 - THE TICKING SILVER WATCH
The back of the cargo van was freezing.
Emily huddled close to Sophie, wrapping her bound arms around the shivering child.
The duct tape burned her skin, but she focused entirely on calming the little girl.
She hummed softly through the tape, resting her chin on Sophie’s head.
Sophie buried her face against Emily’s chest, her tiny shoulders shaking.
They drove for what felt like an hour.
The smooth pavement turned into rough gravel, throwing them against the metal walls.
Finally, the van lurched to a halt.
The engine cut off.
The heavy side door slid open, revealing the harsh glare of a handheld spotlight.
“Get them out,” a voice commanded.
It was Paul.
He had survived the fight at the estate and managed to escape, his face bruised and bleeding.
Thomas climbed into the back and gently pulled Sophie out.
He avoided looking at Emily as he pulled her out next.
They were standing outside an abandoned train depot on the outskirts of Chicago.
Rusty boxcars sat on overgrown tracks.
The freezing rain had turned the ground into thick, icy mud.
Paul walked over and ripped the tape off Emily’s mouth.
She gasped, the sudden pain bringing tears to her eyes.
He did the same to Sophie, who immediately began to cry loudly.
“Shut her up,” Paul snapped at Emily.
“She’s six years old and freezing,” Emily fired back, her voice shaking but defiant. “Give her a coat.”
Paul laughed.
“She won't need a coat for long. We're waiting for Caroline. Once she gets here with the money, we finish this.”
Emily’s stomach dropped.
“Caroline is locked in the basement at the estate. She isn't coming.”
Paul smirked.
“You don't know my sister. She always has a backup plan.”
He turned to Thomas.
“Tie the maid to the metal railing. Put the kid in the office.”
Thomas nodded nervously.
He dragged Emily toward a rusted iron staircase leading up to an old control tower.
He tied her bound wrists to the heavy iron railing.
As he leaned in close, Emily whispered, “Thomas. Please. You don't have to do this.”
Thomas wouldn't meet her eyes.
“My wife, Emily. He has her.”
“Check your pocket,” Emily whispered desperately.
Thomas frowned.
He reached into the right pocket of his chef’s coat.
His fingers closed over the heavy silver pocket watch Emily had shoved there.
He pulled it out, hiding it in his palm so Paul couldn't see.
“What is this?” Thomas breathed.
“It’s Luca’s captain watch,” Emily said. “Every one of them has a GPS tracker built into the casing. Marco told me once when I was polishing them.”
Thomas went completely pale.
“They can track us?”
“They are already tracking us,” Emily said. “Luca is coming, Thomas. If you walk away now, he will show no mercy. But if you help us, I swear I will beg him to spare you and save your wife.”
Thomas stared at the silver watch.
He looked back at the small office where Paul had locked Sophie.
He looked at Paul, who was smoking a cigarette near the van, pacing angrily.
Thomas closed his eyes.
He made his choice.
He slipped a small paring knife from his sleeve.
He didn't cut Emily free completely, but he sliced the thick zip-tie binding her wrists just enough that a hard pull would snap it.
“When the shooting starts,” Thomas whispered, “break it and run for the kid.”
He turned and walked away before Emily could say thank you.
Emily pulled her hands apart slightly, feeling the weakened plastic give way.
She waited.
The freezing rain soaked through her thin dress, but the adrenaline kept her warm.
Ten minutes passed.
Then, the sound of approaching tires echoed over the gravel.
Headlights swept across the rusted train cars.
A sleek black SUV pulled to a stop.
Paul threw his cigarette down and smiled.
“I told you she’d make it.”
The driver’s door opened.
But it wasn't Caroline who stepped out.
It was Marco.
And stepping out of the passenger side, holding a suppressed assault rifle, was Luca Moretti.
Paul’s smile vanished.
“How did you find us?” he yelled, raising his pistol and backing toward the office where Sophie was locked.
Luca didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
He raised his rifle and fired a single shot.
It hit the ground inches from Paul’s feet, spraying him with freezing mud.
“Where is my daughter?” Luca’s voice boomed across the empty train yard, completely devoid of humanity.
He wasn't a businessman tonight.
He was the monster his enemies feared.
Paul grabbed Thomas and pulled the terrified chef in front of him as a human shield.
“Drop the guns, Luca! Or the chef dies, and my men in the office kill the kid!”
Luca didn't lower his weapon.
He kept his aim steady on Paul’s head, peeking out from behind Thomas.
“You have five seconds, Paul.”
“I have the high ground!” Paul screamed.
Suddenly, a gunshot rang out.
But it didn't come from Luca.
It came from the darkness behind Paul.
Paul gasped.
His eyes went wide.
He dropped his gun and fell forward into the mud.
Standing behind him, holding a smoking revolver, was Thomas.
The chef dropped the gun, raised his hands, and fell to his knees in the mud.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Moretti!” Thomas cried. “I’m sorry! They have my wife!”
Emily didn't wait.
She snapped the weakened zip-tie on her wrists and sprinted for the office.
She kicked the rusted door open.
The single mercenary inside turned, raising his gun.
But Marco was faster.
He had flanked the building in the confusion.
Marco fired twice through the broken window.
The mercenary dropped.
Emily rushed into the dark room and scooped Sophie into her arms.
“I’ve got you!” Emily sobbed, burying her face in the little girl’s neck. “I’ve got you.”
Luca burst into the room a second later.
He dropped his rifle and fell to his knees, wrapping his massive arms around both Emily and his daughter.
He pressed his face into Emily’s shoulder, shaking violently.
“Thank God,” Luca choked out. “Thank God.”
For a moment, they were safe.
But then, the sound of slow, sarcastic clapping echoed from the doorway.
They looked up.
Standing in the rain, flanked by four heavily armed men, was Caroline.
She was wearing a long trench coat, her broken wrist heavily bandaged.
She smiled down at them.
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“Beautiful family reunion. Now, hand over the girl, Luca. And the letters.”
TITLE: THE TORN TRAIN TICKET
