Chapter 12 - The Little Girl Who Remembered Three Stars|
The first hour after Sophia disappeared was the longest hour of my life.
Police cars surrounded the mansion.
Detectives questioned the security staff.
Emergency technicians examined the failed alarm system.
Marco was treated for his injuries.
And Luca sat in his study staring at the phone that Vanessa had used to threaten him.
I had expected him to become violent.
I had expected him to call every dangerous man he knew and send them hunting through Chicago.
Instead, he called Detective Brooks.
He told her everything.
Including Vanessa's exact words.
Including the demand involving Daniel Price.
And including the fact that Vincent had been identified as one of the men involved in the abduction.
Maya listened carefully.
"Mr. Moretti, do not attempt to negotiate privately."
Luca's jaw tightened.
"She's my daughter."
"I understand."
"No, Detective."
His voice broke.
"She's all I have left of Isabella."
Maya paused.
"Then give us the best chance to bring her home safely."
Luca closed his eyes.
"Tell me what you need."
Over the next several hours, investigators worked to identify the vehicle, trace Vanessa's movements, and locate properties associated with the Bellini family.
Daniel supplied records concerning the attempted trust changes.
Marco provided a detailed statement.
I gave investigators everything I could remember about Vanessa's behavior toward Sophia.
But there was one detail I kept returning to.
Sophia knew my phone number.
I had taught it to her when she was six.
We practiced it whenever she went on school trips.
I had also taught her to call emergency services whenever she felt unsafe.
Now I prayed she would remember.
Near midnight, my phone rang.
The number was unfamiliar.
I answered immediately.
"Hello?"
For a moment, there was only silence.
Then I heard a tiny voice.
"Claire?"
My knees nearly gave way.
"Sophia?"
"Please don't say my name loudly."
I pressed a hand over my mouth.
"Sweetheart, are you hurt?"
"No."
"Where are you?"
"I don't know."
I looked toward Luca.
He stood immediately.
I motioned for him to call Detective Brooks.
Sophia whispered, "They brought me to a big house."
"What kind of house?"
"It has a lake."
My heart raced.
"Can you see anything outside?"
"A little."
"Tell me what you see."
"There's a wooden dock."
She paused.
"And a red canoe."
I forced myself to remain calm.
"That's very good, sweetheart."
"There's a lady here."
"What lady?"
"Her name is Mrs. Hale."
"Is she being kind to you?"
Sophia hesitated.
"She gave me a sandwich."
"Where are Vanessa and Adrian?"
"I heard them arguing downstairs."
I heard a faint noise through the phone.
Sophia began breathing quickly.
"Claire, I'm scared."
I closed my eyes.
"I know, sweetheart."
"Vanessa said Daddy doesn't want me anymore."
My heart broke.
"That's a lie."
"She said he would let her keep me if she got the papers."
"Your daddy is looking for you right now."
Sophia began crying quietly.
"Promise?"
"I promise."
There was another sound in the background.
A door closing.
Sophia whispered, "I have to go."
"Before you do, listen carefully."
"Okay."
"Remember our three stars?"
"Yes."
"One for you, one for Daddy, and one for Mommy."
Sophia sniffled.
"And the stars always find each other."
"That's right."
I took a breath.
"Now I need you to find a safe grown-up and tell them you need the police."
"I think Mrs. Hale will help."
"Good."
"Claire?"
"Yes?"
"Please tell Daddy I'm being brave."
I began crying.
"You are the bravest little girl I know."
The call ended.
Luca caught me before I collapsed into the chair.
"Was it her?"
I nodded.
"She's alive."
He covered his face.
For several seconds, he couldn't speak.
Then he whispered, "Thank God."
Detective Brooks immediately began coordinating with authorities in Wisconsin after investigators traced the call to the Lake Geneva area.
The telephone number was associated with a property managed by a woman named Judith Hale.
Mrs. Hale had previously worked for the Bellini family.
She had been told that Sophia was visiting relatives during a custody dispute.
But when Sophia approached her and asked for help, she became suspicious.
Mrs. Hale called the sheriff's office herself.
By the time officers reached the property, Adrian had already left.
Vanessa was nowhere to be found.
But Sophia was inside.
Safe.
Frightened.
And waiting for her father.
Luca insisted on traveling to Wisconsin with me.
Detective Brooks coordinated with the responding officers before we left.
The drive felt endless.
Luca barely spoke.
He held Sophia's unfinished fabric heart in his hands the entire way.
When we finally entered the sheriff's office, I saw a small figure sitting on a sofa beneath a gray blanket.
Sophia looked up.
"Daddy?"
Luca dropped to his knees.
She ran toward him.
He caught her and held her so tightly that both began crying.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
Sophia buried her face in his shoulder.
"I knew you'd come."
"I'll always come for you."
She pulled back just enough to look at him.
"Even when I'm scared?"
"Especially then."
I knelt beside them.
Sophia reached for me too.
For a long moment, the three of us stayed there.
No one cared about the people watching.
No one cared about Luca's expensive suit or his reputation.
He was simply a father holding the child he had nearly lost.
Later, as the officers prepared Sophia's statement with a child-interview specialist, she tugged at my sleeve.
"Claire, I remembered something else."
"What is it?"
"Vanessa was wearing Mommy's wedding ring."
I froze.
"Are you sure?"
Sophia nodded.
"It was on a chain around her neck."
My stomach tightened.
"Did she say anything about it?"
Sophia looked toward her father.
"She told Adrian that Isabella should have given it to her when she had the chance."
Luca slowly lifted his head.
May you like
Then Sophia whispered the words that changed everything again.
"Adrian said Vanessa wouldn't be worried about that ring if they had gotten rid of all of Mommy's evidence."
