Chapter 6 - The Return to the Mansion
Maggie didn't take the day off.
At 1:00 PM, after spending five hours sitting in her silent, peaceful apartment processing the miraculous absence of her tormentor, she took a long, hot shower, dressed in a soft cream-colored sweater with high sleeves, and walked down to the street.
The black sedan across the street immediately coasted over to the curb. The driver—a polite, sharp-eyed man named Marcus—stepped out and opened the rear door for her.
"Miss Hart," Marcus said respectfully. "Mr. Calder mentioned you might want transportation to your medical appointment."
"Thank you, Marcus," Maggie said quietly, stepping into the clean, leather-scented interior. "Before the clinic... can you take me to the house?"
Marcus didn't hesitate. "Of course, ma'am."
Twenty minutes later, the town car pulled through the wrought-iron gates of the Calder estate.
Maggie walked up the front steps, her heart hammering against her ribs. She unlocked the heavy oak front door using her staff keycard and stepped into the grand marble foyer.
The house was quiet, filled with the soft, warm light of mid-afternoon filtering through the stained-glass windows along the grand staircase.
From the upstairs hallway came the sound of soft, distinct laughter.
Maggie paused, looking up.
Owen came bouncing down the stairs two at a time, holding a wooden space shuttle in his hands. Sitting on the top step, watching him with a relaxed, open smile, was Vincent Calder. He was wearing a dark blue linen shirt with the sleeves rolled up, looking remarkably relaxed for a man who had orchestrated a covert kidnapping six hours earlier.
When Owen saw Maggie standing in the foyer, his small face lit up with radiant joy.
"Maggie!" Owen shouted, skipping down the remaining steps and running straight toward her.
Maggie dropped to her knees, opening her arms wide. Owen crashed into her, wrapping his small arms around her neck, burying his face in her hair.
"Maggie, look!" Owen said, holding up the wooden shuttle. "Daddy built the launchpad! We're going to Mars after lunch!"
Maggie held the boy tightly, her eyes filling with tears as she kissed his cheek. "That's amazing, sweetie. A launchpad?"
She looked up over Owen's head.
Vincent was walking slowly down the stairs. His dark eyes met hers, holding a quiet, inquiring look that asked a dozen questions without uttering a single word.
"Owen," Vincent said gently, stepping onto the foyer floor. "Go show Mrs. Gable the space shuttle in the kitchen. Tell her we need two astronauts' worth of apple slices."
"Okay!" Owen giggled, spinning around and taking off down the long hallway toward the kitchen quarters.
Vincent turned his attention back to Maggie. He stood four feet away, giving her ample space, his hands resting casually in his trouser pockets.
"You were supposed to rest today, Maggie," Vincent said softly.
"I couldn't stay in that apartment," Maggie replied, standing up slowly, adjusting her sweater sleeves. "It was too quiet."
"Is the apartment satisfactory?" he asked. "The locks were installed by a security firm I trust."
"Vincent..." Maggie breathed out, using his first name for the very first time.
Vincent paused at the sound of his name on her lips, his expression softening slightly.
May you like
"How did you do it?" she asked, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Where is Darren?"
Vincent looked toward the library doors, then back at her. "Walk with me."
