Chapter 12 - Ashes and Answers
Hours later, the roaring fire was finally extinguished by emergency crews.
The magnificent mansion was reduced to a blackened, smoking shell.
Nathan sat on the back of an ambulance, wrapped in a foil emergency blanket.
Paramedics were treating the severe burns on his forearms.
Leo was fast asleep inside the ambulance, completely unharmed.
Chief Miller walked up to Nathan, holding a small metal evidence bag.
"We searched the interior of the vault area, Nathan," Chief Miller said solemnly.
Nathan looked up, his face covered in dark soot.
"Did she survive?" Nathan asked quietly.
"The cage was unlocked when the firefighters reached it," Chief Miller revealed.
Nathan’s eyes widened in utter disbelief.
"What do you mean unlocked? Is she dead or not?"
"We found charred remains near the vault exit," the Chief explained.
"However, the forensic team noticed something very strange."
Chief Miller pulled a small item out of the evidence bag.
It was a melted metallic dental bridge.
"This bridge doesn't match Vanessa’s medical records," Chief Miller stated cold.
"It belongs to an older female."
Nathan stood up slowly, the foil blanket falling off his shoulders.
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"If that body isn't Vanessa..." Nathan whispered.
"Then who was in that room with me?"
