Chapter 2 - THE EMPTY SEAT AT FOUR THIRTYThe next morning, the digital clock on the kitchen microwave blinked relentlessly: 4:35 AM.
The coffee pot remained dry. The stainless steel counter was untouched, devoid of the neat, handwritten sticky note that usually listed Roman’s schedule alongside a small, encouraging weather reminder.
Roman sat at the mahogany table in his private dining room, staring at an empty plate. By 6:00 AM, a cold knot began to twist in his gut—a sensation foreign to a man who had navigated blood feuds without breaking a sweat. He pressed his communicator, paging his head of security, Marcus.
"Where is she?" Roman's voice was lethal, stripped of all warmth.
"Nora Hayes hasn't clocked in, boss," Marcus replied hesitantly over the line. "She didn't take the bus from Highlandtown. Her brother, Caleb, is currently sitting alone on Mrs. Adler's porch. The social services are already circling because she didn't pick him up from school yesterday afternoon."
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Roman stood up so fast his chair screeched against the hardwood floor.
"Find her," Roman ordered, his eyes flashing with a terrifying fury. "If anyone in this city laid a finger on her because she works in my house, tear the waterfront apart brick by brick until you find her."
