Come in," Dominic said, voice calm and deceptively polite. He stepped back just enough for the two men at the door to enter.
As the agents crossed the threshold, the air seemed to tighten, cool and heavy. From the top of the stairs, Elena caught the faint movement of Maria, the family's long-time housekeeper, slipping into the shadows. The silent signal was sent. Somewhere deep inside the house behind the soundproof panel of Valerie's private study .Valerie and Carl would already be watching, listening, and calculating.
Dominic led the two agents into the living room, Elena following just behind him. She stood by the fireplace, her gaze calm but alert.
"We want to assume you know a person by the name of Carl Miller," said the taller of the two, Agent Croft, his tone clipped and formal.
Dominic tilted his head slightly. "Wait. Didn't your partner just introduce himself as Miller?"
The older agent ,square-jawed, eyes cold gave a thin, humorless smile. "Yeah. Common name."
