Chapter 9 - THE WOMAN IN THE YELLOW COAT
I shut the door in Luca’s face.
Not hard.
I didn’t need the satisfaction of a loud sound.
Nora was standing behind me.
“What happened?”
“He knew Daniel was scared.”
She looked toward the closed door.
“Did he say that?”
“He said enough.”
The next morning, Daniel’s wife asked to meet me.
Her name was Beth.
She chose a diner near the hospital where she worked because she had forty minutes between shifts.
I recognized her yellow coat.
She recognized my bruise.
Neither of us mentioned either one.
“Arthur told me you spoke up,” she said.
“I almost didn’t.”
“But you did.”
A waitress brought coffee.
Beth wrapped both hands around the cup.
“Daniel used to come home smelling like river water and diesel.
I complained about it.”
She laughed once.
Then covered her mouth.
“I’d give anything to wash that smell out of another shirt.”
I looked down because her grief deserved somewhere to stand without being watched.
She slid her phone across the table.
“Ellis has a copy.
I thought you should hear it.”
Daniel’s voice filled the space between us.
Hey, babe.
Running late.
If Enzo calls you, don’t answer.
I’m going to talk to Luca tomorrow.
I’m not signing that report.
A pause.
Then, softer:
Keep the envelope from the bank.
Don’t throw it away this time.
The message ended.
“What envelope?” I asked.
“An account notice.
Daniel thought somebody had opened an account using his information.”
“Did they?”
She nodded.
“The assistance money went there.
Then straight back out.”
I thought of my forged signature.
Rosa’s funeral bill.
All those names.
People chosen because they were tired, broke, grieving, or afraid of being fired.
Beth reached into her bag and showed me a small notebook.
“Daniel wrote everything down.
He didn’t trust his memory.”
On the last page was a name.
S. MERCER.
Underneath:
BAY CAMERA.
ASK BEFORE FRIDAY.
“Do you know Mercer?” she asked.
“No.”
“Neither do I.
The detectives are checking.”
Outside the diner, a black sedan slowed beside the window.
Enzo sat in the passenger seat.
He looked directly at us.
Then Beth’s phone rang.
Unknown number.
She let it go to voicemail.
May you like
A moment later, the transcription appeared.
Tell Olivia to check her apron pocket before she ruins another family.
