Nico
"What do you mean she is not back yet," I asked, my voice level, controlled, as my gaze settled on the estate manager.
The woman—grey-haired, rigid, always composed—bowed her head slightly, fingers clasped in front of her like she was bracing for impact.
"We are yet to see her, sir."
No raised voice. No visible anger. Just a slight narrowing of my eyes as the meaning of her words settled deep.
Carmen wasn't here.
Which meant something had gone wrong. Badly wrong.
Behind me, I could already hear the faint, rapid tapping of Martin's fingers against the phone he had somehow acquired. The ridiculous pink case with glitter caught the light, completely out of place in his grip, but he handled it like it was a weapon.
"Call the police headquarters," I said, already turning toward the entrance.
"I'm already on it," Martin replied without missing a beat.
Good.
At least one thing was moving fast.
