I had finally seen the thing I had spent all morning failing to find by the coffee machine, and it was worse than a monster.

It was an absence.

Chapter 16 — Drop the Files

“Luca Vance,” Detective Vance said, her voice steady and carrying in the grand room.

“Drop the files and step away from the desk.”

He did not move for a moment.

Then the paper in his hand fluttered to the floor, and he looked at the officers, and then at me, and his composure shattered into the only genuine emotion I saw from him that entire day, which was fury.

“You brought cops into my house, Ivan?” he barked, his face twisting.