Chapter 13 - THE MAN AT THE DOOR
“Who is in the SUV?” Vivian asked.
Daniel glanced over his shoulder.
“Someone who followed me. I lost the first car, but not the second.”
Mara stepped beside Vivian.
“Then you shouldn't be here.”
“I know.”
Daniel held up the envelope.
“I found this in the bedroom. It was beneath the mattress, behind the frame. It has your name on it.”
Vivian stared at the handwriting.
Camille.
She opened the door.
Daniel entered quickly, and Mara locked it behind him. He looked exhausted. There was a scrape along his jaw and snow melting on his coat.
“Did Matteo send you?” Vivian asked.
“No.”
“Does he know where I am?”
“I don't think so. He knows you left the estate. He knows you used the service passage. He doesn't know where you went.”
“Then how did you find me?”
Daniel hesitated.
“I knew about the blue car. You mentioned it once when you were arranging a charity delivery.”
Vivian looked toward Mara.
Mara's face tightened.
“I didn't tell him.”
“I know,” Daniel said. “I remembered.”
Vivian opened Camille's envelope.
Inside was a single page.
Vivian,
You were never supposed to see the transfers. Matteo said he could keep the accounts clean, but he underestimated how much you notice.
I tried to warn him that Stefan was using your name. He wouldn't listen.
If you're reading this, the documents have probably been moved. Do not trust the family office. Do not trust the people who tell you the baby belongs to the Dravens before it belongs to you.
I am sorry.
Camille.
Vivian read it twice.
Mara frowned.
“Is she trying to help you?”
“She kissed my husband.”
“Those things can both be true.”
Vivian looked at Daniel.
“Did Camille leave the estate?”
“She disappeared after the party. Matteo sent men to find her.”
“Why?”
“He thinks she knows where you went.”
Vivian folded the letter.
“Did she tell him about the accounts?”
“I don't know.”
Daniel glanced toward the window.
The SUV at the end of the lane had not moved.
“We need to go.”
Mara shook her head.
“Where? Every road out of here could be watched.”
“I have another vehicle.”
“Then bring it around the back.”
Daniel looked at Vivian.
“There's something else. Matteo found the ring.”
She felt the words like a small cut.
“What did he do?”
“He cleared the ballroom. Sent the guests home. Then he went to your room and stayed there until morning.”
Vivian turned away.
“That's not my problem anymore.”
Daniel didn't argue.
He placed a second item on the table: a small flash drive.
“Camille gave me this two weeks ago. She said if anything happened, I should get it to you.”
Vivian looked at it.
“What's on it?”
“Audio recordings. Meetings between Stefan and the family accountants. I haven't listened to them.”
“Why didn't you give it to Matteo?”
“Because one recording includes his voice.”
The room fell silent.
Vivian picked up the drive.
Before she could ask another question, the lights went out.
Mara swore under her breath.
Daniel moved toward the window and pulled the curtain aside.
The black SUV had its headlights on now.
May you like
A second vehicle was turning into the lane.
“They found us,” he said.
