Chapter 4 - THE CAMERA IN THE GARAGE
Gabriel ordered the entire executive garage swept.
Elias found the camera in eleven minutes.
It was hidden inside a smoke detector directly above Norah’s parking space.
Not company equipment.
Wireless.
Encrypted.
Someone had been watching her sleep.
Norah stared at the device on Gabriel’s desk.
“For how long?”
Elias checked the internal memory.
“Seventeen days.”
Gabriel’s face darkened.
“So whoever planted it knew she was living there.”
“Yes.”
Norah folded her arms.
“Why watch me?”
Gabriel knew.
“To see whether I noticed.”
She turned toward him.
“What?”
“If someone wants me suspicious of you, finding you in the garage creates the perfect opening.”
“Homeless secretary. Desperate. Financial problems.”
“Exactly.”
“And then the forged ledger says I’m betraying you.”
Gabriel’s eyes hardened.
“They expected me to fire you.”
Norah laughed bitterly.
“You almost did.”
“No.”
“You threatened to.”
“That was different.”
“How?”
“It was a bluff.”
She stared at him.
“That is not as comforting as you think.”
Elias almost smiled.
Gabriel did not.
“Where’s Matteo?”
“His townhouse is empty.”
“Cars?”
“Gone.”
“Phones?”
“Off.”
Gabriel walked toward the windows.
Matteo Costa had taught him suspicion.
Now that same suspicion pointed directly at the man who raised him.
Norah’s phone rang.
Mercy Ridge.
She answered.
“Yes?”
Her face changed.
“What do you mean?”
Gabriel turned.
“No. You cannot move him today. The letter says Thursday.”
Her voice cracked.
“Please.”
Gabriel took the phone.
“This is Gabriel Costa.”
Silence on the other end.
Then the administrator’s tone changed instantly.
“Mr. Costa.”
“Leo Hayes does not move.”
“I’m afraid authorization has already been signed.”
“By whom?”
“We received a court-appointed medical transfer.”
Gabriel’s blood cooled.
“Who filed it?”
Keyboard clicks.
Then:
“His legal guardian.”
Norah grabbed the phone.
“I’m his guardian.”
The administrator hesitated.
“Not according to the updated paperwork.”
Norah’s face drained.
“Who is?”
The answer made Gabriel turn slowly toward Elias.
“Matteo Costa.”
Norah whispered:
“He has my brother.”
They were already moving when a second call came through.
Mercy Ridge security.
Leo’s transport van had never reached St. Matthew’s.
It had vanished twenty-three minutes earlier.
Then Elias received a photograph.
Leo lay unconscious inside a van.
May you like
A handwritten note rested on his chest.
FIND THE FLASH DRIVE BEFORE I DO.
