She had played that part again.
Gabriel.
Lorenzo.
A planned dinner.
A discussion of what should happen afterward.
She did not remember how long she stood beneath the desk.
Only that she eventually realized she was still holding the recorder.
She took it.
Then spent three nights trying to decide whether leaving with it would be more dangerous than staying.
At the hospital, an investigator named Natalie Reyes explained that the recording would need to be examined and supported by other evidence.
Chloe nodded.
She had no energy left for disappointment.
Reyes noticed.
“It matters,” she said. “I’m explaining the next steps, not dismissing it.”
Chloe looked up.
“All right.”
Reyes asked what happened that night.
Chloe began.
She stopped twice.
Sarah remained beside her.
Nobody told her to continue faster.
Lorenzo canceled the dinner named in the recording.
Gabriel called within minutes.
“You’re busy?”
“Yes.”
“With what?”
Lorenzo stood at the window of his office.
He could hear music from the lounge below.
“A problem.”
“Then come by later.”
“No.”
A small silence.
Gabriel’s voice stayed warm.
“Have I done something?”
Lorenzo looked at the file his attorney had brought.
For years, Gabriel had handled relationships Lorenzo did not want to examine closely.
Officials.
Intermediaries.
Men who could smooth difficulties before a question became an investigation.
Aaron Miller had been one of them.
Lorenzo had known the detective’s access was improper.
He had accepted the convenience.
Now a woman lay in a hospital because the same access had helped make her believe escape was impossible.
“I’m reviewing some arrangements,” Lorenzo said.
His brother went quiet.
Then he laughed softly.
“Careful. You may discover how much work other people do to keep you comfortable.”
Lorenzo closed his eyes.
“I’m beginning to.”
He ended the call without agreeing to meet.
