MORANO'S DUNGEON
"Where is he?" Leonard demanded, his footsteps echoing sharply as he strode through the darkened hallway of the Morano estate.
"They’re in the dungeon," Massimo replied, walking quickly beside him. "A CCTV caught them fleeing right after the fire started."
Leonard’s eyes narrowed. “Was anything found?”
Massimo hesitated, his expression grim. "No, everything burned to ashes..." He stopped, then added, “Including Thelma. I’m sorry.”
Leonard halted in place, turning toward Massimo. “Nothing? Not even a body?”
Massimo shook his head. “No sir. Everything. Gone.”
Leonard’s jaw clenched. The silence between them was thick. Then, with a sharp exhale, he continued walking. They descended into the underground level, where the floor grew colder and the air damp. The smell was a choking mix of mildew, sweat, and dried blood. The narrow staircase led to a reinforced metal door at the bottom, where a guard opened it as soon as he saw them.
Inside was a room pulled straight from nig
