The new maid heard weeping beneath the mansion. Opening the heavy basement door, she found the missing wife, starved and chained. As gasps filled the dark room, the wife grabbed her hand, whispering, “Run before he hears you, or he’ll make you my replacement.” Suddenly, footsteps echoed on the stairs…

on the glass to get his attention, and slid the note through the small gap at the bottom of the cracked window.

I ducked back into the shadows and waited.

Chapter 7: The Collapse of the Crown

From my hiding place in the wet rhododendrons, I watched Ricardo’s silhouette. He stood up, walking slowly to the window. He looked out into the darkness, saw nothing,continue reading …