Contents
Chapter 9
Overview
Keres pushes Phoenix to secure kidnapping supplies and confronts Phoenix’s unstable compliance with medication. Researching Romeo’s social media, Keres discovers Joey Moretti’s attendance at a Friday charity event. She seizes this as a timed opportunity to launch her long-planned abduction, sharpening the stakes and timeline of her revenge plot.
Summary
Keres calls Phoenix and insists she complete a detailed supply list immediately, warning that the next phase could begin at any moment. Phoenix resists and admits she is skipping her meds, prompting Keres to stress the risk of institutionalization and to promise their imagined escape only if the plan is followed.
After the tense call, Keres rides her motorcycle to quiet painful memories, including thoughts of her mother and the secret they shared. She reaffirms that the plan—years in the making—cannot be derailed, even by Phoenix.
Turning to reconnaissance, Keres studies Romeo’s Instagram, noting a photo with a blonde woman and analyzing Romeo’s body language. A live notification reveals Romeo asking Ace to pick up his suit because Joey will attend a downtown charity event on Friday.
Keres searches for the event and identifies an auction and lunch supporting a domestic abuse helpline. She condemns the Morettis’ hypocrisy but recognizes the gathering as a prime opportunity to abduct Joey.
With three days to prepare, Keres commits to executing the abduction at the event, relying on Phoenix to secure the items needed to keep Joey prisoner for weeks.
Who Appears
- KeresDrives the plan; pressures Phoenix for kidnapping supplies, researches Romeo’s social media, and targets Friday’s charity event to grab Joey.
- PhoenixReluctant accomplice; whines, skips meds, but agrees to procure items to imprison Joey.
- RomeoBodyguard; his Instagram and message to Ace reveal Joey’s attendance at a Friday charity event.
- AceBodyguard; agrees to pick up Romeo’s suit, indirectly confirming the team’s plans for the event.
- Joey MorettiTarget; scheduled to attend a high-profile charity event, creating Keres’s abduction window.
- Keres’s motherHaunting memory; shared a deadly secret that fuels Keres’s drive and pain.
- Unidentified blonde womanAppears in Romeo’s photo; prompts Keres to read Romeo’s body language and personal ties.