I walked to the window.
Noelle, where are you?
Are you safe?
"Boss, we have a lead!"Dmitri practically burst into the study, excitement in his voice for the first time in ages.
I immediately stood and took the photograph from his hand. The image showed Iceland's blue ice cave, signed "T.C."—but that distinctive brushwork and signature made me catch my breath instantly.
"Give me details!"
"We found this painting at an auction house in Boston. After comparison by multiple experts, the brushwork is confirmed to match your wife's exactly. This is the most reliable lead we've had in two years."
Two years. She'd vanished without a trace. Zoe had gone into the mountains early to paint, Isabella was handled, and Lorenzo had disappeared, too. Only now, from these carefully designed disguises, could I glimpse her trail—both annoyed by her cleverness and proud of that quick thinking.
My fingertips traced the signature in the photo, as if I could see her standing at an easel, lost in her work.
"Any other leads?"
"We only found that the artist goes by Tara Coleman. We suspect it's Mrs. Morozov's alias. But the painting's origin isn't clear—they just said it changed hands several times."
"Tara Coleman..." I repeated the name, the style feeling strangely familiar.
"Continue investigating the painting's source."
"Yes, sir."
"Tara Coleman..." I muttered the name, unconsciously walking to the library.
I went in, pacing before the bookshelves, thinking about possible origins for this name. Casually, I caught sight of a book about Native Americans.
"Of course! The Indians!"
I rushed to the map, finding the Maka tribal lands in Washington State.
I immediately dialed. "Dmitri, send people to Washington. Focus on searching for 'Tara Coleman' who appeared suddenly two years ago."
"Yes, sir."
Found you, Noelle.
This time, I won't let you leave.
"Boss,are you really going to live here?"
Dmitri stood before a modest little building, brow furrowed.
"Yes." I pushed open the door. "You head back to Philadelphia."
"But boss—"
"The family needs someone in charge." I cut him off. "Don't contact me unless it's urgent."
Dmitri was silent for a few seconds, then finally nodded.
"Yes, boss. But Nick and the others will stay with you."
"Fine."
