Victoria backed away two steps as Elena held the heavy metal iron pan firm.
Elena moved quickly through the stainless steel kitchen toward the side pantry door.
The small wooden door opened straight out onto the driveway near the garden garden shed.
Elena slid the brass lock back with her thumb and pushed the door wide open.
The crisp fresh air hit her face as she carried Lily out into daylight.
Victoria: Stop right there or I will call the police on you for kidnapping!
Elena: Call them! I want the police here right this second!
Victoria stopped at the open doorway, her face pale under the bright outdoor sun.
She knew the arrival of police officers would mean the end of her plan.
Elena ran down the stone garden path as fast as her legs could take her.
Lily held on tight to Elena's apron shoulder with both small hands.
Lily: Are we going to see my grandfather now?
Elena: Yes, sweetie, we are going straight to find him right now.
Elena reached the large black iron gate that separated the estate from the main road.
The gate was locked with a heavy keypad code system on the side brick pillar.
Elena typed the four digits she used every morning for the delivery truck.
The heavy iron gate clicked loudly and began to swing open slowly.
A sleek black luxury sedan was pulled up right along the outer curb line.
An older gentleman in a tailored gray suit was stepping out from the back seat.
He looked pale and worried as he held a thick stack of white legal folders.
Grandfather: Lily! Oh my goodness, Lily!
Lily: Grandpa! You found me!
The older man dropped his folders onto the grass and ran forward with open arms.
Elena set Lily down gently on her feet so she could run to him.
The grandfather dropped to his knees and wrapped the little girl in a tight hug.
Grandfather: Where were you? They told me you wandered off near the downtown park!
Elena: She did not wander off anywhere, sir. Victoria locked her in a wall!
The grandfather stood up slowly, his teary eyes turning red with immediate shock.
Grandfather: What did you just say to me, young lady?
Elena: Victoria kept her locked inside a hidden wall space behind a heavy painting.
Grandfather: She told me the search party was still looking near the lake!
Victoria appeared at the open iron gate with a frantic look on her face.
Victoria: Arthur, do not listen to this simple housekeeper! She is lying to you!
Grandfather: Is this true, Victoria? Did you keep my granddaughter in this house?
Elena: Look at the ribbon marks on Lily's tiny wrists right now, sir!
The grandfather looked down at the soft pink skin on Lily's wrists.
Faint red lines showed clearly where the smooth grey ribbons had been tied tight.
Grandfather: You absolute monster, Victoria!
Victoria: I was doing what was necessary to protect our family estate business!
Grandfather: You were committing a terrible crime against a defenseless child!
Arthur reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his private cell phone.
He pressed a single button on his speed dial and put the speaker on high volume.
Grandfather: Chief Miller, send three police units to the main estate entrance immediately!