Chapter 9 - THE PENNY ON THE BED
Ethan had security outside Emma’s apartment within twelve minutes.
Norah hated that she was grateful.
She hated even more that she was scared enough not to argue.
The penny sat in the center of Emma’s white comforter.
Beside it was a photograph of Norah entering Ethan’s building.
On the back were six words:
You should have taken the first one.
Connor.
It had to be.
Federal investigators agreed the message was intimidation connected to the fraud case.
Ethan wanted Norah and Emma moved immediately.
“No.”
He stared at her.
“This is not a debate.”
“That sentence is exactly why it’s a debate.”
“Someone entered your sister’s home.”
“I understand.”
“Then you’re coming to my penthouse.”
Norah crossed her arms.
“Ask.”
His jaw tightened.
“What?”
“Ask me.”
“Norah—”
“You don’t get to turn concern into control.”
Emma looked between them and wisely disappeared into the kitchen.
Ethan lowered his voice.
“I am trying to keep you alive.”
“And I am trying not to disappear inside someone else’s decisions again.”
That landed harder than she intended.
Ethan’s anger faded.
After several seconds he tried again.
“Would you consider staying somewhere secure while this is investigated?”
“Yes.”
His eyebrows rose.
“That easy?”
“It became easier when you remembered I’m a person.”
They compromised.
Norah and Emma stayed temporarily in a secure apartment owned by Ethan’s company, with independent security supervised by investigators.
Sophie called Norah that night.
“Daddy is grumpy.”
“He usually is.”
Sophie giggled.
Ethan’s voice came from the background.
“I heard that.”
“Good.”
The ordinary moment helped.
For two days, nothing happened.
Then Connor called Norah directly.
She almost didn’t answer.
The investigator beside her signaled that it was her choice.
Norah accepted.
“Hello?”
Connor laughed softly.
“You finally found your voice.”
“What do you want?”
“To save myself.”
“Then turn yourself in.”
“You’ve been spending too much time with Vale.”
Norah looked through the glass at Ethan.
He was watching her.
Connor continued.
“Grant is going to make me the fall guy.”
“You helped him.”
“Yes.”
The casual admission made her skin crawl.
“But I never wanted Evelyn dead.”
Norah stopped breathing.
The investigator began writing rapidly.
“What did you say?”
“I said things got out of control.”
“Did Grant kill her?”
Silence.
Then Connor answered.
“He wanted to scare her.”
Norah’s hands trembled.
“What happened?”
“I’m not saying more over the phone.”
“What do you want?”
“The original notebook Evelyn kept.”
“You’re not getting it.”
“I expected you to say that.”
His voice changed.
“Ask Ethan who had access to Evelyn’s travel schedule the week she died.”
Norah looked at Ethan.
“Who?”
Connor laughed.
“Someone still working for him.”
The call ended.
Ethan immediately began reviewing the list.
Only five people had access.
His executive assistant.
Grant.
The driver.
Evelyn’s personal assistant.
And Ethan’s head of security.
May you like
Martin Cole.
The man currently responsible for protecting Sophie.
