Chapter 3 – [THE BLOODSTAINED ROSARY]

“Leo,” Nico choked out, dropping to his knees.

The little boy shrank back against the wall, shaking violently. He was pale, far too thin, and wearing clothes that were months too small.

“It’s me, buddy. It’s Uncle Nico.”

Leo didn’t speak. He just stared at us with wide, hollow eyes, clutching the bloodstained rosary to his chest.

Tears spilled down my cheeks. I slowly stepped forward and sat on the floor, making myself smaller than him.

“Hi, Leo,” I said gently. “My name is Hannah. You’re safe now. No one is going to lock that door ever again.”

He looked at me. Then, his tiny, trembling hand extended toward me, offering the rosary.

I took it carefully. It was heavy. Antique silver.

Nico stared at it, his face twisting in agony. “That’s my brother’s rosary. The one he was wearing the night his car went off the bridge.”

Answer one: Veronica hadn’t sent Leo away to school. She had kept him locked in this house to control him.

Open two: How did Leo get the rosary from a fatal car crash? And why was there blood on it?

Nico gently scooped the boy into his arms. “Let’s get you downstairs, Leo. I’ve got you.”

We brought him to the warm, brightly lit kitchen. I quickly warmed up some chicken broth and sat beside him. He ate greedily, his eyes darting toward the hallway as if expecting Veronica to return.

Nico was pacing on the phone with his security chief. “Find her. Bring her to me. Alive.”

I wiped Leo’s chin with a napkin. “You’re so brave, Leo.”

He looked at me, then tugged on my sleeve. He pointed to the rosary on the counter, then pointed to his own neck.

“He was wearing it?” I asked.

Leo shook his head. He made a driving motion with his hands. Then he covered his eyes.

My breath hitched.

Nico hung up the phone and walked over. “What is he doing?”

“Nico…” I whispered. “The police report said your brother was alone in the car when he crashed.”

Nico frowned. “He was.”

I looked at the little boy. “Leo… were you in the car with your daddy?”

Leo nodded slowly. Then he reached into his small pocket and pulled out something that made Nico stumble backward.

A heavy gold earring with a distinct emerald center.

Veronica’s earring.

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