Chapter 349

Chapter 349:

Hope flickered in Alexander’s chest, but he tamped it down. They’d already followed three such leads, only to find empty buildings rigged with cameras—Rose watching them chase their tails.

The door opened again, and Richard Lewis entered. Camille’s father looked haggard, aged years in the hours since learning of his daughter’s abduction. Margaret, too distraught to participate, remained at the lake house under heavy security.

“I’ve been going through our property records,” Richard said, placing a folder on the table. “There might be something we’ve overlooked.” Alexander nodded for him to continue, eyes fixed on the folder.

“The cabin in the Adirondacks,” Richard said, his voice heavy. “We sold it just after Camille’s supposed death in the car accident. When we all thought she was gone.”

“Rose knew about this cabin?” Alexander asked sharply.

Richard nodded. “She loved that place. Said it was where she felt most part of the family.”

Stefan leaned forward. “You sold it after you thought Camille was dead? When Rose was still living with you?”

“Yes,” Richard admitted, shame evident on his face. “Rose was devastated when we decided to sell it. Said we were erasing Camille’s memory by getting rid of family properties. But we… we couldn’t bear to keep it. Too many memories.”

Alexander and Stefan exchanged glances, the first moment of real connection between them.

“Rose only left the family five months ago,” Stefan said, thinking aloud. “After Camille returned and the truth about Rose’s attempt on Camille’s life.”

“And she’s had time since then to plan all this,” Alexander continued the thought. “To track down properties with emotional significance to the family.”

Richard’s hands shook slightly as he opened the folder. “The sale records show the cabin went to a development company. They were supposed to tear it down, build vacation homes.”

“But did they?” Alexander was already reaching for his phone. “Jason, I need everything on a property in the Adirondacks.” He rattled off the address from Richard’s papers. “Previous and current ownership. Any construction permits. Satellite imagery. Everything.”

ᴹᴼᴿᴱ ᵁᴾᴰᴬᵀᴱˢ ᴵᴺ ᴳᴬᴸᴺᴼⱽᴱᴸˢ.ᶜᴼᴹ

Victoria moved to Alexander’s side. “The FBI is still checking the Catskills location. Should we redirect them?”

“No,” Alexander decided. “We split our resources. FBI continues there, my team heads to the Adirondacks.” He looked at Stefan. “Are you coming?”

It was the first direct question he’d asked Stefan since this began. A moment of truth between them.

Stefan nodded without hesitation. “Yes. I know how Rose thinks. What she might have done to the place.”

Alexander turned to Richard. “Stay here with Victoria. Keep looking through those records for anything else that might help.”

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