Julian Vance pulled his dark teal suit jacket tight as he walked up the wide stone steps.
The afternoon sun lit up the front entrance of the massive estate with bright golden light.
He held his leather briefcase firmly in his right hand while looking at his watch.
The quiet house seemed far too silent for a sunny Tuesday afternoon in late spring.
He expected to hear music playing or the laughter of his young daughter echoing inside.
Instead, only the soft click of his own dress shoes marked his steady forward path.
He pushed open the heavy front door and stepped into the polished marble foyer.
The tall white pillars stood like silent guardians along the massive luxury entry room.
Julian set his briefcase down near the bottom of the grand curved marble staircase.
He paused near the center of the foyer to listen for any signs of life.
A sudden tiny whisper echoed across the empty stone floor from a dark corner.
Lily: Daddy!
Julian froze in his tracks as his heart pounded fast against his dark vest.
He looked around the empty room with wide eyes to find his missing child.
The sweet voice sounded close yet muffled behind heavy fabric and plastic walls.
Lily: Daddy, please help me! Open it before she comes back!
Julian turned around quickly toward a large grey luggage piece lying on the floor.
The hard-shell suitcase rested completely flat against the smooth light marble surface.
He dropped directly to his knees beside the thick zippers with frantic speed.
His hands shook as his fingers searched for the silver metal closure latches.
Julian: Hang on, baby! Daddy is right here!
He pulled the heavy metal zipper back across the top rim with force.
The latches clicked open sharply in the wide and bright entrance hallway space.
The shell opened up to show a small girl lying in soft purple pajamas.
Lily curled her knees close while hugging a framed family photo to her chest.
Several official foreign passports lay scattered around her tiny purple cotton slippers.
Her eyes were bright red from quiet tears as she looked up at him.
Lily: She said we were going on a big long trip, Daddy.
Julian drew in a sharp breath as shock rushed through his entire body.
He gently reached down to lift his frightened daughter out into the open air.
Her small body trembled softly while she held tightly to his dark jacket collar.
Julian: Nobody is taking you anywhere, sweetheart. I have you now.
Heavy footsteps sounded near the double front doors as the main entrance opened wide.
Julian kept one arm around Lily while looking toward the front entrance hall.