Chapter 17 - THE MIDNIGHT AMBUSH
The Grand Philharmonic Hall stood like a monolithic shadow against the storm-swept skyline of New York City. Its soaring neo-classical columns were draped in dark rain, the entrance boarded up for the night.
Daniel slipped through the stage loading bay, clutching Grace's musical score beneath his coat. Inside, the massive auditorium was swallowed by darkness, save for a single spotlight beaming down upon the massive, four-tier pipe organ that dominated the center stage.
Tied to a wooden chair beside the organ bench was Maya, gagged and bruised, tears streaming down her cheeks. Standing behind her were two men in dark suits, their submachine guns pointed at the floor.
And sitting on the organ bench, her tiny legs dangling, was Lily.
Standing over her, stroking her dark curls with a gloved hand, was a tall, immaculate man with silvered hair and cold, predatory eyes. On his right hand sat the golden falcon signet ring.
"Daddy!" Lily gasped, struggling against Julian's grip.
"Don't touch her!" Daniel shouted, his voice echoing through the vast, empty cavern of the theater. He stepped into the aisle, holding the leather-bound score high above his head. "I have the cipher, Julian. Let the girl go."
Julian Castiglione smiled—a slow, aristocratic smirk devoid of humanity.
"You brought the notes, Daniel. How commendable," Julian spoke, his voice carrying effortlessly through the acoustics. "But as you likely deduced from my dear niece's journals, ink on paper is worthless to me. The Castiglione family vault beneath this hall was constructed with a harmonic resonance lock. Only Grace's flesh and blood, playing Grace's composition, can open the safe."
May you like
Julian leaned down to Lily's ear. "Your father is here, little bird. Play the Nocturne, and he lives. Refuse... and you will join your mother in the dark."
***
