She arrived here last night, the priest explained in a low voice as they walked. She was terrified, talking about dangerous men chasing her. Sister Teresa managed to calm her down a bit, but she insists she needs to talk to you.
Edward felt a mixture of relief and concern. Finding the girl was his priority, but knowing she was in danger for trying to help him created an enormous weight on his conscience. Is she safe here? For now, the priest replied gravely, but those men looking for her didn’t seem willing to give up easily.
We had to be very careful. They stopped before a wooden door painted light blue. Father Michael knocked gently three times, apparently a prearranged code, before opening the door.
Edward entered the small room and immediately recognized the frail figure huddled in a chair in the corner. The girl looked up as he entered, and Edward saw the same piercing gaze that had impressed him the night before. But now there was fear in those eyes, a vulnerability that broke his heart.
She wore clean clothes provided by the church, a simple dress and shoes that were too big for her small feet. You came, she murmured, her voice barely audible. I thought you wouldn’t believe me.
Edward knelt in front of her, bringing himself to the child’s level. I believed you, little one, you saved my life. His voice trembled with emotion.
How did you know? How did you find out what Isabella was planning? The girl looked nervously at the priest, who nodded encouragingly. You can tell him, Maya. Mr. Miller is here to help.
Maya, Edward finally, knew her name, took a deep breath before starting. I was looking for food in the dumpsters behind the restaurant when I heard voices in the kitchen. The window was open because of the heat.
She paused, her small hands trembling slightly. Edward waited patiently, realizing that reliving those moments was difficult for her. The pretty lady was there with a man in a suit.
They were messing with a cake, putting something in it. The man said it had to be perfect, that it couldn’t go wrong this time. Edward felt his blood run cold.
This time, did they mention other attempts? Maya nodded, her large eyes fixed on his face. The man said the other times were too suspicious, that this time it had to look like an accident. The lady laughed and said you’d never suspect her.
The girl’s words confirmed Edward’s worst fears. It hadn’t been an impulsive plan. Isabella had tried to kill him before, and only his luck or natural caution had protected him.
Did you get a look at the man’s face? Edward asked, trying to keep his voice calm. Yes, Maya brightened a little, and I recorded them talking too. Edward and Father Michael exchanged surprised looks.
You recorded them? Edward repeated, hardly believing what he heard. Maya pulled an old, cracked cell phone from her pocket. I found this phone in the trash last week.
It still works a little. When I heard them talking about hurting you, I decided to record it. With small but determined fingers, she fiddled with the device until she found the audio file.
The sound was muffled and full of static, but it was possible to clearly hear the voices of Isabella and a man discussing details of the poisoning. Are you sure the dose will be sufficient this time? Isabella’s voice could be heard. You can trust me, darling.
It’s an almost undetectable substance. It’ll look like a natural heart attack, and then all that fortune will be ours. Edward closed his eyes, feeling nauseous as he heard the coldness in the voice of the woman he had loved.
But at the same time, he felt immense gratitude for that brave child who had risked everything to save him. Maya, he said softly, you’re the bravest person I’ve ever met, but now we need to keep you safe while the police use this recording to arrest the real culprits. The girl surprised him by taking his hand.
Mister, they talked about a list. But the names! You’re not the first one they tried to hurt. The revelation hit Edward like a lightning bolt.
If there were other targets, the conspiracy was even larger than he had imagined. How many people had already been victims? How many others were in danger? Sister Teresa, Father Michael called, and a middle-aged nun entered the room. We need to contact the police immediately, and we’ll need special protection for Maya.
Edward looked at the girl who had changed his life in minutes with her extraordinary courage. Maya, I promise I’ll take care of you. You’ll never have to worry about food or shelter or bad people again.
For the first time since he’d met her, Maya smiled, a shy but genuine smile that lit up her whole face. You really promise? I promise, Edward replied, feeling like he was making the most important promise of his life. And we’ll make sure.
Those people never hurt anyone again. The priest’s phone rang, interrupting the moment. His expression changed to concern after answering.
There are men outside the church, he informed them gravely. It seems they’ve found us. Father Michael moved with surprising agility for his age, quickly closing the curtains of the small room and gesturing for everyone to remain silent.
Edward picked Maya up, feeling how light and fragile she was, her little heart beating rapidly against his chest. The recording on the old cell phone could be the key to exposing the entire conspiracy, but only if they could get out of there alive. There’s a passage at the back of the church, the priest whispered, moving an old cabinet that revealed a narrow door.
It was built during the Prohibition era to protect people. It leads to the parish house on the other side of the block. Edward followed the priest down the narrow, dimly lit corridor, with Maya clinging to his neck.
Behind them, Sister Teresa quickly erased any evidence that they had been in the room. The sound of men’s voices echoed through the main church, suggesting the men had already entered the building. Do they know the girl around here? they heard a harsh voice ask.
They said she might have sought shelter here, another voice replied. Search every corner, she couldn’t have gone far. Maya trembled in Edward’s arms, burying her face in his shoulder.
He whispered reassuring words in her ear, promising that everything would be all right, even though he wasn’t entirely sure himself. The responsibility of protecting that brave child weighed on him more than any business deal he had ever conducted. The tunnel opened into a damp basement filled with boxes and old church equipment.
Father Michael lit a small flashlight, illuminating a wooden staircase leading to the upper floor. Every step they took creaked softly, creating small sounds that seemed to echo like thunder in the tense silence. My car is parked behind the parish house, the priest murmured as they ascended.
But we need to be very careful, these men may have surrounded the entire block. Edward quickly thought about the available options. His own safety was important, but the absolute priority was ensuring Maya and the recording reached the police safely.
Without that evidence, he would remain the prime suspect, and the real conspiracy would remain hidden. Father, do you know a reliable detective? Edward asked as they reached the upper floor of the parish house. Someone who can’t be bought, or intimidated.
Detective Miller from the downtown precinct, the priest replied without hesitation. He’s worked with me on several child protection cases. He’s a man of integrity.
They reached a window overlooking the back of the property. Edward carefully peeked through the curtains and saw two men in suits patrolling the area. They were the same faces he had photographed at the restaurant the night before.
The confirmation that they were being actively pursued made his blood run cold. There are a lot of them out there, he informed the priest. We need a distraction.
Maya stirred in his arms and whispered, Mr. I know a way across the rooftops. The street kids use it to escape when the cops come to clear us from the squares. Edward looked at her with admiration and concern.
It’s very dangerous, Maya. You’re too small, but I know how to do it. She insisted with a determination that was impressive in someone so young, and they won’t expect us to escape from above.
Father Michael carefully opened a window that gave access to the roof. The neighboring church is only three blocks away. If you can get there, I can call their pastor and ask him to call the police.
Edward hesitated for a moment, weighing the risks. Staying there meant eventually being found by the men patrolling the area. Trying to escape over the rooftops was dangerous, especially with a child, but it might be their only chance.
Let’s try it, he decided, holding Maya firmly. But you’ll guide me, little heroine. The escape over the rooftops was a terrifying and surreal experience.
Maya, despite her small size, moved with the agility of someone accustomed to that precarious environment. Edward followed her as silently as possible, trying not to look down as they crossed from one building to another via makeshift bridges of planks and pipes. During the crossing, Edward couldn’t help but admire the extraordinary courage of the girl guiding him.
How many nights had she had to use those dangerous paths just to survive? Life on the streets had forged in her a strength and wisdom that many adults would never develop. There, Maya whispered, pointing to a church steeple rising a few rooftops, ahead. It’s safe to go down there.
As they approached their destination, Edward heard the sound of police sirens in the distance. His steps became more urgent. Whatever the reason for the sirens, he needed to deliver the recording to the authorities before the conspirators could find a way to destroy the evidence or silence Maya permanently.