Chapter 1 - Into The Storm
The rain came down over Blackwood Estate like the sky itself was trying to wash away a crime.
Alexander Blackwood pushed through the iron gates with his seven-year-old daughter Lily pressed tightly against his chest.
His tailored suit was soaked through.
Mud covered the expensive leather of his shoes.
None of it mattered.
Lily was trembling.
Her tiny fingers were wrapped around a strange golden coin she had found beside the servants' entrance less than an hour earlier.
Behind them, Alexander's Doberman, Nero, moved through the rain with his head low and his muscles tense.
The dog had been restless since Sarah disappeared.
Alexander understood why.
Something was wrong inside his home.
Something had been wrong long before the police arrived.
Three hours earlier, four uniformed officers had walked into the mansion and accused Alexander's wife, Sarah, of stealing the Blackwood Golden Clock.
The clock had belonged to Alexander's family for almost two centuries.
It was worth millions.
But its financial value meant nothing compared with the humiliation of watching Sarah dragged from her own house while servants whispered behind closed doors.
Sarah had screamed that she was innocent.
Alexander had believed her.
The officers had shown documents, photographs, and fingerprints.
Everything appeared legitimate.
Too legitimate.
Then Lily found the coin.
Alexander carried her into the grand foyer and kicked the door shut behind him.
Warm light from the chandeliers spilled across the marble floor.
Lily slowly lifted her head.
"Is Mommy coming home?"
Alexander looked into his daughter's frightened eyes.
"Yes."
He placed her gently on the floor.
"Whatever I have to do, I am bringing your mother home."
Lily opened her palm.
The golden coin rested there.
Alexander took it carefully.
A serpent was engraved on one side.
Its body curved into a perfect circle as it swallowed its own tail.
Alexander stopped breathing for a second.
He had seen that symbol before.
Not in his current life.
In the life he had buried fifteen years ago.
He turned toward the dark hallway.
"Nero."
The Doberman immediately moved beside him.
Alexander closed his hand around the coin.
Someone had entered his house.
Someone had stolen the clock.
Someone had framed Sarah.
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And whoever had done it had just made one unforgivable mistake.
They had left Alexander a trail.
