Luan Sterling stepped out of his black car right in front of a colonial-style villa hidden behind a thick grove of pine trees on the outskirts of town. The air felt much cooler, carrying the sharp scent of damp earth. Luan didn't look back at his bodyguards. He merely gave them a brief signal to stay behind the outer fence.
The large teak door opened before Luan could even knock. Mrs. Clara stood there, staring at Luan with an intensely serious gaze, an expression born of fear.
"You're right on time, Mr. Sterling," Clara said softly.
Luan didn't respond immediately. He merely gave a slight nod, staring at Clara with a gaze that seemed capable of piercing the very thoughts of the woman before him. Luan stepped into the dimly lit villa lobby. The interior of the house was deathly quiet, with only the ticking of the wall clock and the scent of antiseptic beginning to waft through the air, overpowering the distinctive smell of old wood.
"Where is she?" Luan asked.
