“Not all of it,” Lorenzo said, his voice low and dangerous. “Dr. Halloran is on foot. He is heading for the northern boundary.”

Marcus raised his radio, but Lorenzo pressed his hand down on the device.

“No radio chatter,” Lorenzo ordered. “He might be listening. I want the gates locked down manually.”

“Yes, sir,” Marcus said.

“There is an intruder in the nursery,” Lorenzo continued, his eyes ice-cold. “His name is Evan Morris. He is Halloran’s assistant.”

I stepped forward from behind Lorenzo.

“He is hurt,” I told Marcus. “He is in the corner by the wardrobe. Do not let him leave, but do not kill him. He has answers.”

Marcus looked at Lorenzo, waiting for confirmation.

Lorenzo nodded once.

“Tie him down,” Lorenzo said. “If he moves, use force. But keep him alive.”

“Understood,” Marcus said.

He waved his two men toward the upper stairs.

They moved past us quickly, their gear clinking in the narrow stairwell.

Lorenzo turned back to me.

“The rose garden,” he said. “Lead the way.”

I led him down the remaining steps to the basement level.