Chapter 17 - The Desperate Gambit

Night fell over Cascais, the storm howling with unexpected fury against the rugged coastline. The electricity flickered once before stabilizing, the low hum of the villa's backup generators kicking in smoothly. Mateo had stayed at the house, while Tiago and a second security officer monitored the gate and perimeter sensors from the guardhouse.

At 11:45 PM, the perimeter alarm in the lower garden chimed softly on Mateo’s tablet.

Mateo was on his feet instantly, his eyes narrowing as he tapped the screen to pull up the infrared camera feed. "Someone just breached the stone wall behind the lower citrus orchard."

My stomach dropped. "Richard?"

"He’s desperate enough," Mateo said, reaching for his heavy utility flashlight and radioing Tiago. "Stay here with the girls. Lock the interior doors."

"I'm coming with you to the landing," I insisted, my mother’s instinct refusing to let me hide in the dark while danger moved through our home.

We hurried to the central courtyard. Through the torrential downpour, the beam of Tiago's industrial flashlight swept across the wet grass near the ancient stone well. A drenched, disheveled figure was stumbling through the mud, dragging a heavy duffel bag, his eyes wild and unfocused.

It was Richard.

He had bypassed his hotel, ignored the court order, and traversed the rocky, dangerous cliffs in the middle of an Atlantic gale to reach the estate. His clothes were torn by brambles, his hands bleeding from climbing the jagged limestone wall.

"Elena!" he screamed over the howling wind, his voice shrill, cracking with madness. "Elena! You open this damn door! You can't lock me out of my life!"

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Tiago and the second guard closed in instantly, their flashlights blinding him. "Down! On the ground now!" Tiago commanded in Portuguese, then in sharp, authoritative English.

Richard swung wildly, brandishing a rusty crowbar he must have stolen from a garden shed. "Don't touch me! I am Richard Hale! I own everything you see! Elena, tell them! Tell them who I am!"