Just then, a loud crash echoed from the back of the penthouse.

The crash in the back of the penthouse was followed by a sharp curse.

“Clear the hallway!” a guard shouted.

Matteo did not flinch.

He kept his gaze fixed on Dr. Harrison, who was trembling in his wet trench coat.

“Enzo,” Matteo said, his voice flat. “Find out what that was.”

Enzo, the head of security, vanished down the hallway.

Silvio took a slow, deliberate puff of his cigar.

“You are chasing ghosts, Matteo,” Silvio said, gesturing with the glowing ember. “The girl is a maid. She has been in this house for five minutes, and suddenly Leo is dying.”

“I didn’t poison him,” I said.

My voice sounded small, but it was steady.

“Silence, girl,” Mrs. Higgins snapped.

Her knuckles were white as she clutched her apron.

Matteo raised his hand, and the room fell dead silent.

The only sound was the rain lashing against the high glass windows.

“I decide who speaks in this house,” Matteo said.

He looked at Dr. Harrison.

“Take the blood sample. Right now.”