Chapter 10 - LILY SPEAKS
The gunshot cracked through the yacht's audio feed.
Grant shouted Lily's name.
The first clear word Lily gave her father was not a plea. It was an answer. Emma heard strength inside it, fragile but real, like a door unlocking after years of pressure from the other side.
The camera shook. Renata screamed. Victor fell against the wall, blood spreading across his leg.
Lily had not been shot.
She had thrown the broken glass at Victor's face just as he fired. The bullet struck the floor.
The child ran.
Emma grabbed the radio microphone.
"Lily, listen to me. Go to the blue room. Remember where we hid during thunder?"
A breath came through the yacht's speaker.
Then Lily answered clearly.
"Yes."
Grant closed his eyes for half a second. His daughter was speaking.
"Lock the door," Emma said. "Push the brass button under the desk. It sends a distress signal."
Lily raced down the corridor while Renata followed.
The security launch drew alongside the yacht. Mason threw a grappling line. Grant boarded first, followed by officers and Emma.
Inside, alarms screamed.
Victor appeared at the stairwell with the gun. Grant charged him before he could aim. They crashed into the railing.
Emma ran toward the blue room.
Renata reached it first.
The door opened from inside.
Lily stood there holding a brass fire extinguisher.
She sprayed Renata full in the face.
Renata staggered backward, blinded. Emma tackled her.
"You ruined everything!" Renata screamed.
Lily stepped into the hallway.
Her voice was small, but steady.
"No. You did."
Then the yacht lurched violently.
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Victor had locked the engines at full speed.
Straight ahead, the river narrowed around a stone bridge.
