Chapter 4 - THE SHADOWS OF BALTIMORE HARBORThe abandoned warehouse near pier 42 smelled of rust, stagnant river water, and old despair.
Nora shivered violently, her head throbbing from the blow she had taken behind her apartment building the evening before. Two masked men had grabbed her, shoved her into the back of a black SUV, and brought her to this concrete tomb. Now, bound tightly to a wooden chair with thick manila rope, she fought to keep consciousness from slipping away.
Heavy heels clicked against the concrete floor.
Evelyn Sterling stepped out from the shadows, her white cashmere coat pristine against the grime of the warehouse. Her diamond earrings caught the sickly yellow glare of the single overhead bulb like tiny, glittering daggers.
"Any last wish before leaving?" Evelyn asked, her tone dripping with mock sweetness.
Nora couldn't summon the energy to scream. She thought of Caleb’s dented tin box, of the shoebox full of notes under his bed, and of the promise she had made him.
"Tell Caleb…" Nora choked out, tears finally breaking free from her dry lashes. "Tell him I didn't leave him."
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Evelyn smiled, a cruel, beautiful expression. "Oh, sweetheart. By tomorrow, everyone will believe you did."
Neither woman heard the stealthy crunch of gravel outside. Neither saw the massive shadow detach itself from the freezing night and step silently through the side entrance.
