Chương 8 - The Door Marco Opened
Victor had been allowed to leave after providing his phone and contact details.
He had returned without either.
Luca refused to let him inside.
So Victor called the office landline.
“Your housekeeper is digging up old mistakes,” he said.
Luca put him on speaker.
“Whose mistakes?”
“Her father’s, among others.”
I stood beside the desk.
“My father recorded you.”
Victor gave a tired sigh.
“Your father recorded part of a conversation.
People hear what they want to hear.”
“Then explain the chained door.”
“Talk to Adrian.”
The line went dead.
Marco checked the perimeter cameras.
I called Nora.
She and my mother were safe at Nora’s apartment.
I told them about the memory card.
My mother cried quietly.
I had no idea what to say.
Then Nora asked to speak to Luca.
“Those files need an independent custodian,” she said.
“Someone outside your house.”
Luca agreed to contact a lawyer who had never worked with Adrian.
A woman named Hannah Reed.
She could meet us before dawn.
Marco offered to drive the card over.
“No,” I said.
“I’ll go.”
His face tightened.
“It’s safer if you stay.”
“I’ve heard that all night.
The evidence is about my father.”
Luca backed me.
We headed toward the garage.
At the corridor door, Marco touched his earpiece.
He listened.
Then he turned.
“Change of route.
We’re using the side entrance.”
I stopped.
“Who called?”
“Perimeter team.”
“Which person?”
“Grace, we don’t have time.”
Luca’s gaze sharpened.
“Answer her.”
Marco reached for the door.
Luca caught his arm.
On the other side, an engine idled.
I could see it through the narrow glass.
Not one of Luca’s vehicles.
Marco’s face collapsed.
“My son,” he said.
“What about him?” Luca asked.
“Victor controls the loan on his business.
Adrian said they’d take everything.”
“Who’s in that car?”
Marco didn’t answer.
Luca pulled us back.
Another guard secured the corridor.
For a moment, I thought we had caught the betrayal before anything was lost.
Then I looked down.
My bag was open.
The sealed envelope containing the memory card was gone.
Marco had offered to hold it while I tied my shoe.
He sank against the wall.
“I’m sorry.”
Luca searched his pockets.
Empty.
May you like
Marco looked toward the side door.
“I already passed it through.”
