Chapter 2 - The Secretary Nobody Was Supposed to Touch
I had heard Lorenzo Vitali threaten men with less emotion than he used when he told me not to open my apartment door.
"Lily, listen carefully."
I stood frozen beside the intercom.
"Someone is coming to get you. Stay away from the entrance."
My throat tightened.
"Who?"
"Marco and two security officers."
"How long?"
"They're already nearby."
Another knock sounded downstairs.
Then the stranger spoke again.
"Miss Morgan, we only need to talk."
I covered my mouth.
How did he know my name?
"Lily," Lorenzo said.
"I'm listening."
"Go into your bedroom. Lock the door. Stay on the phone."
I obeyed.
For the first time since I'd started working for him, I didn't argue.
I sat on the edge of my bed, clutching my phone.
"Why is this happening?"
Lorenzo exhaled slowly.
"Because someone believes you have information that belongs to me."
"What information?"
"The Calabresi file."
I frowned.
"The harbor contracts?"
"Yes."
I almost laughed from sheer disbelief.
"I removed a clause, Lorenzo. I didn't steal anything."
"I know."
"Then why would anyone come after me?"
"Because you found something you weren't supposed to find."
I stared at the wall.
That afternoon, while reviewing the contracts, I'd discovered a suspicious provision authorizing payments to an offshore consulting firm.
I'd deleted it before Lorenzo signed.
He'd barely acknowledged my explanation.
Now a stranger was outside my building.
My chest tightened.
"Was that clause illegal?"
"Yes."
"Did you know?"
"No."
I closed my eyes.
The intercom suddenly stopped ringing.
A minute later, I heard footsteps in the hallway.
Then a familiar voice.
"Miss Morgan? Marco."
I didn't move.
Lorenzo spoke into my ear.
"Ask him for the code."
"What code?"
"Tell him to identify himself using the phrase we discussed."
"We never discussed a phrase!"
A pause.
"Right. Tell him to say what you complained about in the car last Tuesday."
I frowned.
"Your coffee machine?"
"Exactly."
I raised my voice.
"Marco, what did I say about Mr. Vitali's coffee machine?"
A brief silence.
Then Marco answered.
"That it costs more than your refrigerator and still produces coffee that tastes like burnt regret."
I nearly cried with relief.
"That's him."
"Open the door," Lorenzo said.
I unlocked my bedroom.
Marco stood in the hallway with two security officers.
His expression was grim.
"Miss Morgan, we need to leave."
I grabbed my purse.
As we hurried toward the stairs, I looked down through the stairwell window.
The black sedan was gone.
But something lay on the sidewalk.
A small white envelope.
My name was written across it.
Marco retrieved it after securing the area.
Inside was a photograph.
It showed Lorenzo standing beside a beautiful dark-haired woman.
The photograph was old.
At least ten years.
May you like
On the back, someone had written:
Tell Lorenzo the woman he buried is still alive.
