Chapter 7 - Room 814
Detective Lewis called for backup while Daniel drove hard.
"Selene could be setting us up," Maya said.
"She could. We're still going."
We reached the hotel in six minutes.
Room 814 was empty.
No Selene. No Julian.
But the room looked like someone had searched it in a hurry. Drawers open. Mattress shifted. A lamp smashed near the window.
Daniel checked the bathroom.
"Clear."
I found a silver suitcase under the desk.
Locked.
"I know everything Julian spent money on," I said.
I entered 0314, the date engraved on the bracelet he'd bought Selene for their first anniversary.
The lock clicked.
Inside were cash, passports, and a flash drive taped beneath the lining.
Detective Lewis bagged it.
Then the hotel television turned on by itself.
We all jumped.
The screen showed a live video call.
Julian's face appeared.
"Hi, Elena."
My stomach dropped.
"Where is Selene?"
He smiled. "You sound concerned. That's sweet."
"What did you do?"
"Nothing she didn't earn."
Daniel stepped toward the TV. "Trace is running. Keep him talking."
Julian heard him.
"Ah. Arden's dogs. Your father always did like expensive security."
I forced my voice steady. "You knew who my father was?"
His smile widened.
"Not at first."
"How long?"
"Long enough."
"How long, Julian?"
"Three years."
Three years of marriage rearranged itself in my head.
"Why keep pretending?"
"Because once I knew what stood behind you, I knew what you were worth."
I felt Maya's hand close around mine.
Julian leaned toward the camera.
"Check the drive, Elena. You'll find the truth about your father, Richard, me... and you."
"Me?"
"You signed more than two forms."
"I signed nothing."
He smiled.
"Then you're going to have a difficult morning."
The screen went black.
Detective Lewis's phone rang immediately.
She answered, listened, and swore.
"What?" I asked.
May you like
She looked at me.
"The federal financial-crimes unit just issued a preservation order naming you as a person of interest."
