Passing the study, I noticed light still glowing insideand heard muffled voices. I intended to walk straight past, but Tatyana's voice stopped me cold.
"The little girl plays on the east side of the garden every afternoon at three o'clock," she said in a crisp, businesslike tone. "She's put to bed at exactly eight every night."
I froze, my heart hammering. Who was she talking to? Why was she reporting Sofia's routine?
"Five years old, red hair, brown eyes, approximately three and a half feet tall," Tatyana continued. "She typically wears pink or purple clothing. Very easy to identify."
My blood turned to ice. She was giving a detailed physical description of Sofia!
I crept closer to the door, straining to hear more clearly.
"Yes, she often plays alone in the garden with just one maid watching from a distance," Tatyana said. "Security measures... aren't as stringent as you might expect. At least not in the garden area."
A man's satisfied voice came through the phone. Though I couldn't make out the words, I could sense the malevolent intent.
My hands began trembling violently. Tatyana was selling information about Sofia! She was helping someone plan a kidnapping!
I practically burst into Alexander's bedroom.
He was sitting on the edge of the bed reviewing documents, his brow furrowing when he saw my frantic state. "Anna? It's so late—what's wrong?"
"Tatyana!" I stammered, shaking. "She's... she's selling information about Sofia!"
"What?" He set down his papers, alertness flashing in his eyes.
"I just passed the study and heard her on the phone describing Sofia's appearance in detail—her schedule, the security gaps in the manor!" I grabbed his arm desperately. "Alexander, she's going to hurt Sofia! You have to believe me!"
Alexander's expression grew complex as he studied my eyes, seeming to weigh my words.
"Are you certain you heard correctly?" he asked.
"I'm positive!" I said urgently. "She said Sofia plays in the eastgarden at three every afternoon, goes to bed at eight, and she described exactly what Sofia looks like and what she wears!"
Alexander was silent for a moment, then stood. "I'll go verify this with her."
I followed close behind, my heart torn between terror and hope—terror for the danger Sofia might face, and hope that Alexander would finally see Tatyana's true nature.
We arrived at the study where Tatyana was organizing documents. Seeing us enter, she looked up with a warm smile.
"Alexander? Still up so late?" She glanced at me. "Anna, too. Is something the matter?"
"Anna says she overheard you discussing Sofia on the phone," Alexander said directly. "Can you explain?"
Tatyana looked momentarily startled, then her face cleared with understanding. "Oh, you mean that phone call?"
She gave a light laugh. "I was arranging the relocation of an important witness's daughter. This little girl bears a striking resemblance to Sofia in age and appearance. I was confirming the security protocols at the safe house."
She retrieved a file from the desk. "Look, here's the case documentation. To ensure a safe transfer, I need detailed information about the subject's physical characteristics and behavioral patterns."
I stared at the file in disbelief. There was indeed a photograph and profile of a little girl whose age and features were remarkably similar to Sofia's.
"Pure coincidence," Tatyana explained smoothly. "I completely understand Anna's alarm. Any mother would be terrified hearing that kind of conversation. But it truly was just work-related."
Alexander examined the file, then turned to me. "Anna, you see? This really is a misunderstanding."
I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The documentation looked authentic, but every instinct screamed that something was wrong.
"But... but she knew too many specific details," I persisted. "Sofia's exact daily routine..."
