Chapter 2 - The Man on Her Phone
Evelyn stared at Adrian.
“What did you do?”
“Nothing.”
“You investigated Daniel.”
“Yes.”
“That qualifies as something.”
Adrian walked back toward the table.
“He approached you three weeks ago.”
“So?”
“He knew your name before you introduced yourself.”
Evelyn hesitated.
“You’re guessing.”
“No.”
Adrian unlocked his phone and slid it across the table.
A photograph filled the screen.
Daniel Reed.
Except he wasn’t standing outside the cybersecurity company where Evelyn believed he worked.
He was entering a restaurant beside a man Evelyn recognized instantly.
Viktor Sokolov.
A Russian freight broker Adrian had refused to work with six months earlier.
Evelyn looked up.
“When was this taken?”
“Tuesday.”
“Daniel told me he was in Milwaukee Tuesday.”
“He wasn’t.”
She swiped.
Another photograph.
Daniel getting into Sokolov’s car.
Another.
Daniel leaving a warehouse near the river.
Evelyn put the phone down.
“You had him followed.”
“I had you protected.”
“Without telling me.”
“Yes.”
“That isn’t protection. That’s surveillance.”
Adrian accepted the accusation without blinking.
“Call it whatever you want.”
“I will.”
“Good.”
She folded her arms.
“Why would Sokolov care about me?”
“Because you translated the Rotterdam agreement.”
“So did three attorneys.”
“They don’t speak Russian.”
Evelyn understood.
During negotiations, Sokolov’s representatives had spoken privately, believing nobody in Adrian’s delegation understood their regional dialect.
Evelyn had.
Their comments exposed an attempt to manipulate shipping fees.
The deal collapsed.
“You think Daniel approached me because of that?”
“I know he did.”
“How?”
Adrian hesitated.
Evelyn noticed immediately.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
He glanced toward the windows.
“Daniel isn’t a cybersecurity consultant.”
“Then what is he?”
“A contractor.”
“For Sokolov?”
“Sometimes.”
The room suddenly felt colder.
“What kind of contractor?”
Adrian looked back at her.
“The kind who collects information.”
Evelyn’s stomach tightened.
“My laptop.”
“Yes.”
“My apartment?”
“We checked it this afternoon.”
Her eyes widened.
“You entered my apartment?”
“Kara did.”
“Adrian!”
“She found a listening device beneath your kitchen table.”
Evelyn stopped.
The anger disappeared.
“A what?”
“Daniel was inside your apartment last Sunday.”
“He helped me fix my router.”
“He planted a microphone.”
Evelyn slowly sat down.
Daniel had brought coffee.
He had played with Mrs. Patterson’s dog in the hallway.
He had joked about Evelyn owning too many books.
He had seemed harmless.
Normal.
Safe.
Adrian crouched beside her chair.
“Look at me.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re shaking.”
“I said I’m fine.”
“Evelyn.”
She looked at him.
“Did he ever touch your work computer?”
“No.”
“Your phone?”
“No.”
“Did you tell him anything about me?”
“Nothing important.”
“What does that mean?”
She swallowed.
“He asked why I worked for you.”
“And?”
“I said you paid well.”
Despite everything, Adrian almost smiled.
“Anything else?”
“I told him you were impossible.”
“That isn’t classified.”
“And arrogant.”
“Also public knowledge.”
“And controlling.”
“Accurate.”
She looked at him.
“I told him you were the most frustrating man I’d ever met.”
Adrian’s amusement disappeared.
“What did he say?”
“That maybe I should find another job.”
Adrian stood.
“What?”
“He said someone with my skills could work anywhere.”
“When?”
“Two nights ago.”
Adrian immediately reached for his phone.
“Who are you calling?”
“Mason.”
“Why?”
“Because Daniel knows his approach failed.”
Evelyn stood.
“And?”
Adrian looked at her.
“And if Sokolov believes you know too much, he won’t need you anymore.”
The dining-room door opened.
Mason entered quickly.
“Boss?”
“Lock the floor.”
Mason’s expression changed.
“What happened?”
“Reed knows she didn’t take the bait.”
Mason reached for his phone.
“I’ll get the cars.”
Evelyn stepped forward.
“Wait.”
Both men looked at her.
“I’m not hiding.”
Adrian’s eyes narrowed.
“That wasn’t a suggestion.”
“And I’m not one of your soldiers.”
“No. You’re the person they’re targeting.”
“Then use me.”
Silence.
Mason slowly lowered his phone.
Adrian stared at her.
“Explain.”
“Daniel thinks I trust him.”
“For now.”
“Exactly.”
Evelyn picked up her phone.
“I’m supposed to meet him Friday.”
“No.”
She ignored Adrian.
“If Sokolov wants information, Daniel will ask for it.”
“No.”
“I can feed him something false.”
“No.”
“Will you stop saying no?”
“No.”
Mason covered his mouth.
Evelyn pointed at him.
“Don’t laugh.”
“I’m absolutely not laughing.”
Adrian stepped between them.
“You’re not meeting Reed.”
Evelyn looked up at him.
“You hired me because I understand people.”
“I hired you to translate.”
“You kept me because I’m good at more than translating.”
Adrian’s expression shifted.
She had him.
“You know I’m right.”
“That doesn’t mean I’m putting you in danger.”
“I’m already in danger.”
“That’s different.”
“How?”
“Because I can fix the danger you’re currently in.”
Evelyn lowered her voice.
“Can you?”
Adrian didn’t answer.
She stepped closer.
“Or are you afraid?”
Mason quietly backed toward the door.
Adrian’s eyes narrowed.
“Careful.”
“Of what?”
“You know exactly what.”
Evelyn held his gaze.
“No. I don’t.”
Adrian leaned closer.
“I’m not afraid of Daniel Reed.”
“Then what are you afraid of?”
His answer came without hesitation.
“Something happening to you.”
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For once, Evelyn Mercer had no reply.
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