The Mother’s Warning

The phone on the desk rang.

Damian put the call on speaker.

A woman’s voice came through, smooth and warm as expensive tea. “Damian. I heard there was a scene.”

His jaw went still.

“Mother,” he said.

Carmela Caruso did not sound surprised. “Is the little girl still with you?”

Elena’s skin tightened.

“She said ‘Mama,’ didn’t she?” Carmela went on. “Poor child. Confused children say things.”

Damian leaned over the desk. “How do you know what she said?”

A pause. Then, “Because this family has ears.”

The line went dead.

Nobody moved for a beat.

Marco reached into his jacket and pulled out a folded note. “This was in the envelope with the hospital copy. I didn’t see it until now.”

Elena took it. Her mother’s handwriting shook across the page.

Locker 314. Port Authority.
Bring Damian.
Do not go alone.

At the bottom, one line was pressed so hard it nearly tore the paper.

Your father tried to stop them.