Chapter 7 - Following the Digital Trail
The digital clock on the grand mantle ticked past midnight, amplifying the tension in the room.
Daniel refused to waste a single second waiting for the police to do their jobs.
"We are going to that downtown electronics store right now," Daniel announced firmly.
Emily shook her head, her practical nature warring with her desperation.
"The store will be completely closed at this hour of the night."
Daniel grabbed his car keys and a heavy wool coat from the hallway rack.
"I own the retail plaza where that specific store is located, so the manager will open the doors for us."
He wrapped a warm cashmere scarf around Emily's shoulders, his touch lingering briefly.
"You do not have to come with me, but I thought you might want to see this through."
Emily took a deep breath, finding a sudden reserve of courage within herself.
"I am not going to hide in my room while someone else fights my battles."
They drove through the quiet, rain-slicked streets of the city in Daniel's black sports car.
The neon signs of the downtown district blurred past the windows like colorful streaks of paint.
When they arrived at the electronics store, a very sleepy manager was already waiting by the front door.
He nervously unlocked the security gate, bowing slightly as Daniel and Emily walked inside.
"Mr. Sterling, I pulled the security tapes for the date and time you requested," the manager stammered.
They hurried into the cramped back office, staring intently at the small security monitor.
The grainy footage showed a man in a dark trench coat purchasing several prepaid mobile devices.
When the man briefly looked up toward the camera, Daniel slammed his hand on the desk.
"Pause the video right there and zoom in on his face," Daniel ordered immediately.
The pixelated image enlarged, revealing a man with a distinct scar across his left eyebrow.
Emily gasped, recognizing the man from a photograph she had seen while cleaning the library months ago.
"I know exactly who that is, Daniel."
She pointed a shaking finger at the frozen image on the screen.
"That is Marcus Vance, the private investigator Vanessa used to hire to dig up dirt on your business rivals."
Daniel's eyes darkened with a cold, terrifying fury.
"Marcus has always been a filthy mercenary willing to do anything for the right price."
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They now had a clear face and a concrete name to connect the elaborate crime to Vanessa.
The only thing left to do was find Marcus and force him to confess the entire truth.
