Chapter 21 - A Mysterious Black Envelope Waiting At The Gates
Late on a quiet Friday midnight, the automated security chime on the estate's iron gates echoed softly through the night.
I walked down the long driveway under the pale glow of the security floodlights to inspect the perimeter.
There was no vehicle or person in sight along the dark, winding country road bordering the sprawling property.
Resting on the stone pillar was a plain black envelope sealed with an unfamiliar crimson wax stamp.
There was no return address or postal mark, only a chilling symbol carved directly into the hardened red wax.
I picked it up with a gloved hand, unlocked the pedestrian gate, and sliced open the seal with my pocket knife.
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Inside lay a single photograph of Lily playing outside her elementary school playground earlier that afternoon, alongside a handwritten note:
“Julian and Evelyn were just amateurs playing a small game, David... the true syndicate debt was never settled by your family. We are coming for your little girl next.”
