Chapter 9 - The Woman Who Disappeared

Claire agreed to meet Elena at a private law office owned by Miriam's firm.

She was supposed to arrive at 4:30 a.m.

At 4:42, she had not appeared.

At 4:50, Miriam called her.

No answer.

At 4:58, Elena called again.

The phone went straight to voicemail.

Richard paced behind her.

“She changed her mind.”

Elena shook her head.

“She sounded terrified.”

“At five in the morning, everyone sounds terrified.”

“No.”

Elena looked toward Miriam.

“Can we locate her?”

“Not legally without assistance.”

“Then call the police.”

Miriam hesitated.

“With what allegation?”

“A witness told us she possessed evidence of financial crimes and possible conspiracy.”

“That will get attention.”

Richard stopped pacing.

“Do it.”

Meanwhile, Julian had reached a private apartment across town.

It belonged to Marcus.

Vanessa had come with them.

Nobody spoke for several minutes.

Marcus poured himself whiskey.

Julian stood by the window.

Vanessa finally broke the silence.

“You knew about Elena's money.”

Julian turned.

“Not enough.”

“You told me she was practically broke without you.”

“I told you what you needed to know.”

Vanessa stared at him.

“What I needed to know?”

“Don't start.”

“You used me.”

Julian laughed.

“You were sleeping with a married man.”

“So were you.”

Marcus slammed his glass onto the counter.

“Both of you shut up.”

They looked at him.

Marcus opened a laptop.

“We have bigger problems.”

Julian approached.

“What?”

“Claire Benton.”

Julian's face changed.

Vanessa noticed.

“Who is Claire?”

Marcus ignored her.

“She called Elena.”

“How do you know?”

“Because someone from Miriam Shaw's firm accessed archived employee records fifteen minutes after Claire's call.”

Julian stared at him.

“How much does she have?”

Marcus shook his head.

“I don't know.”

“You said you handled her.”

“I paid her severance.”

“You threatened her.”

“I persuaded her.”

Julian's eyes darkened.

“She copied emails.”

Marcus went still.

“How do you know?”

“She told Elena.”

Marcus cursed.

Vanessa stepped backward.

“What emails?”

Neither man answered.

That frightened her more than anything they could have said.

Marcus began typing.

“We need to know where Claire is.”

Julian looked toward him.

“No.”

Marcus stopped.

“What?”

“No more mistakes.”

“You think evidence disappearing is a mistake?”

“I think attracting police attention is.”

Marcus gave him a cold smile.

“You grew cautious very quickly.”

Julian leaned closer.

“I grew intelligent.”

Vanessa moved toward the door.

Julian noticed.

“Where are you going?”

“Home.”

“You stay here.”

Her face hardened.

“You don't control me.”

“No?”

He glanced toward the emerald pendant she no longer wore.

“You were happy enough when you thought I controlled everything else.”

Vanessa stared at him.

Something in her expression changed.

She had admired Julian's power.

Now she was seeing the man underneath it.

And the view frightened her.

At 5:21 a.m., Elena's phone rang.

This time, it was Claire's number.

Elena answered instantly.

“Claire?”

No one spoke.

Then a man's voice whispered.

“Stop looking.”

May you like

BREAKING NEWS: Washington, D.C. — New Details Just In… See More:

OMG: A Thoughtful Moment From Donald Trump in WashingtonWashington rarely slows down—but for a brief instant, it seemed like it di...

The Honeymoon That Broke My Trust-and the Famiily Truths That Helped Me...

He Framed My 8-Year-Old Daughter as a Thiief at His Wedding—Then the CCT...

The call ended.

Five seconds later, Claire's phone went offline.