Chapter 3 - THE WARNING
I called Daniel before I could talk myself out of it.
He answered on the second ring.
“Olivia?”
“Someone sent me a photograph of my brother.”
His voice changed immediately.
“Where are you?”
“My room.”
“Lock the door. Don't leave. I'm coming.”
I heard footsteps in the corridor less than three minutes later. Daniel entered with another security officer and checked the window, the adjoining bathroom, and the small service balcony.
“Did you recognize the number?”
“No.”
“Did you reply?”
I shook my head and showed him the messages.
Daniel studied the photograph.
“Your brother's name is Ethan?”
“Yes. He's twenty-one. He's in college.”
“Does he know about tonight?”
“No. I haven't told him.”
Daniel photographed the messages and sent them to his team.
“Don't delete anything.”
“Is he in danger?”
“I don't know yet. But we'll find out.”
He asked for Ethan's address, class schedule, and the names of people who might have a reason to contact him. I gave him everything I knew.
Before Daniel left, he placed a small security device on the table.
“Keep this with you. Press the button if anyone approaches you and you feel unsafe.”
I stared at it.
“Is this really necessary?”
“Someone just sent you a photograph of your brother to frighten you. Yes.”
When he left, I sat on the edge of my bed and tried to breathe.
I had taken this job because I needed money. I had never wanted to become involved in the Moretti family's private affairs. But I had seen something wrong, and now someone knew exactly where to find the person I loved most.
At 1:20 a.m., Luca called.
“Daniel told me about the message.”
“I'm sorry.”
“Don't apologize.”
“Your engagement is already in trouble because of me.”
“My engagement is in trouble because of the person who arranged the attack.”
There was a pause.
“Is Ethan safe?”
“Daniel is checking.”
“I'll make sure he has protection.”
I closed my eyes.
“Thank you.”
“Olivia, listen to me. You did the right thing.”
The call ended.
I didn't sleep much.
At eight the next morning, Daniel returned with news. Ethan had been escorted from campus by two security officers. He was confused and furious, but unharmed. A man had followed him from the parking lot and taken photographs from across the street.
“Did you catch him?” I asked.
“Not yet. He left before our team arrived.”
I covered my mouth.
Daniel's expression softened.
“Your brother is safe. We'll keep it that way.”
Luca summoned me to his study after breakfast. He was no longer wearing his dinner jacket. His sleeves were rolled up, and several folders covered his desk.
“Sit down, Olivia.”
I obeyed.
He slid a photograph across the desk. It showed William Mercer entering a private office building.
“We found him,” Luca said. “He's been working for Vanessa for at least four months.”
“Four months?”
“He was hired to follow me, Elena, and several people connected to my businesses.”
“Why?”
“That is what we're trying to establish.”
He opened another folder.
Inside were copies of emails between Vanessa and Mercer. Most were short, but one line stood out.
The final piece must be in Elena's possession. She cannot be allowed to reach the wedding without it.
I looked up.
“What does that mean?”
“I don't know yet.”
“Could the papers be about your divorce?”
Luca's expression darkened.
“My divorce from Elena was finalized four years ago. There were financial agreements, but nothing that should concern Vanessa.”
“Unless she wants something from those agreements.”
He studied me.
“That's what I think.”
A knock interrupted us.
Daniel entered carrying a sealed envelope.
“We found this in the mailroom. It was addressed to Mr. Moretti, but the sender used a false name.”
Luca opened it.
Inside was a single photograph.
Elena stood beside a black car outside a downtown law office. A red circle had been drawn around the folder in her hand.
On the back, someone had written:
SHE HAS THE ORIGINAL.
Luca stared at the photograph.
May you like
Then he looked at Daniel.
“Find Elena. Now.”
