Chapter 9 - ADRIANA'S LAST DAY
Camila hired him for both.
The memory card contained traffic footage collected from private businesses.
One clip showed Adriana's car at a gas station four hours before she died.
They argued.
No audio.
Not yet Victoria.
Dark hair.
Different face.
But the same walk.
Marcus recognized it now.
Celeste handed Adriana an envelope.
Adriana opened it.
Then slapped Renner.
Elena whispered, "She knew."
Another clip showed Julian's SUV following Adriana onto the highway.
A final camera captured her car swerving.
Not from rain.
A black SUV clipped the rear quarter.
Julian's vehicle.
"He killed her."
Brooks cautioned him.
"We still need the driver."
Julian claimed he was not behind the wheel.
Who was?
Gabriel's folder included toll records.
Celeste's phone went dark that evening.
A parking lot camera near the crash site.
A woman exited Julian's SUV.
Celeste.
Marcus could barely breathe.
Celeste may have driven the car that forced Adriana off the road.
She expected rage.
But he did not move.
Did not punch a wall.
Did not shout.
Opened his hands.
Breathed.
That was enough.
Recorded yesterday.
Renner:
You were supposed to watch the maid, not become loyal to her.
Gabriel:
She's my cousin.
Renner:
Then you should understand leverage.
Gabriel:
If you touch Mateo—
A blow.
Static.
Then Renner:
Bring me Camila's copies, or your cousin loses another family member.
Elena went still.
"Mateo."
No answer.
Marcus's face hardened.
"I'm going."
"Where?"
"To find him."
"Not alone."
"You don't get to order me."
"You're right."
"But you also don't have to do this without help."
Before she answered, her phone rang.
Mateo.
"Mateo?"
A man's voice answered.
Paul Renner.
"Bring the memory card."
Elena's blood went cold.
"Let him go."
"Bring the card to the old Vale clinic."
"And Marcus?"
May you like
Silence.
"Tell him to stay home with the baby he almost helped me steal."
