Chapter 4 - THE FILE

The man was Grant Pike, a so-called reputation consultant.

Inside were photos of my apartment, car, mother at dialysis, and me entering a martial arts gym.

Dominic looked at Vanessa.

“You hired him?”

She crossed her arms.

“I wanted to know who kept coming to the house.”

“You requested her.”

“For convenience.”

Grant laughed nervously.

Nobody else did.

Luca took his phone.

There were messages.

Vanessa: FIND OUT WHAT SHE NEEDS.

Grant: MONEY. MOTHER IS SICK. FATHER DECEASED.

Vanessa: GOOD. THAT MAKES HER EASY.

I read the last line twice.

“What were you trying to do?”

Vanessa’s face hardened.

“You were always looking at Dominic.”

I almost laughed.

“I was looking at the person signing the receipt.”

“You think I’m stupid?”

“No.”

I stepped closer.

“I think you’re cruel.”

She flinched.

Dominic asked Luca to call police.

Vanessa grabbed his arm.

“You cannot be serious.”

“You had someone surveil a delivery driver.”

“She embarrassed me!”

“Before tonight?”

Vanessa stopped.

Before tonight, I had done nothing to her. This had never been about the cake.

Grant suddenly said, “I only did what I was paid to do.”

“By Vanessa?” I asked.

He looked at her.

Then Dominic.

“No.”

The room changed.

Dominic’s voice dropped.

“Who paid you?”

Grant swallowed.

“I’m not saying anything without a lawyer.”

I called Mom to say I would be late. Her cough tightened my chest.

Before I left, Dominic gave me a card.

“Call me tomorrow.”

“I don’t want your money.”

“I’m not offering money.”

“What are you offering?”

“The truth about your father.”

I stared at him.

He added, “And I think whoever paid Grant is afraid you’ll find it.”

Outside, rain hammered the driveway.

I reached my car.

Someone had slashed all four tires.

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