Chapter 8 – THE NIGHT DELANEY DISAPPEARED
Delaney vanished after her evening shift.
She had left the restaurant at 10:47 p.m.
Her phone stopped responding shortly afterward.
When she failed to arrive for a scheduled visit with Isabella the next morning, the older woman became distressed.
Damon called.
No answer.
He contacted the restaurant.
The manager confirmed she’d finished her shift.
Frank checked with the appropriate authorities.
A missing-person report was filed.
Investigators reviewed available security footage.
One camera showed Delaney entering a vehicle near the restaurant.
The footage was unclear.
But it raised immediate concern.
Damon stared at the screen.
His stomach tightened.
Meanwhile, Delaney woke in an unfamiliar room.
Her hands were not restrained.
But the door was locked.
A man stood near the window.
Adrian Bianchi.
She sat upright.
“What do you want?”
Adrian smiled.
“Information.”
She stared.
“About what?”
“My aunt.”
Delaney frowned.
“Mrs. Bianchi?”
He nodded.
“What has she told Damon?”
Delaney swallowed.
“Nothing important.”
Adrian stepped closer.
“Don’t lie.”
She looked toward the door.
“Let me go.”
He smiled.
“Soon.”
Delaney’s heart pounded.
She thought about her mother.
The hospital bills.
The snow.
Isabella’s trembling hands.
Then she looked at Adrian.
“You’re afraid of an old woman.”
His smile vanished.
“What?”
She swallowed.
“Whatever she remembers, you’re afraid of it.”
Adrian stared.
Then turned away.
Hours later, investigators located the property.
Police arrived.
Delaney was found alive.
Frightened.
But unharmed.
Damon reached the hospital where she was being evaluated.
He stopped in the doorway.
“Delaney.”
She looked up.
For a moment, she couldn’t speak.
Then she began crying.
He approached slowly.
“May I hug you?”
She nodded.
He wrapped his arms around her.
She whispered:
“I thought nobody would find me.”
Damon closed his eyes.
“I came.”
And for the first time, Delaney understood what it felt like to have someone refuse to give up on her.
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