Chapter 11 - The Woman in Daniel's Photograph|
Margaret had placed the photograph inside a plastic bag before calling Natalie.
She had done exactly what the police instructed her to do after the restaurant incident: avoid touching anything suspicious and report it immediately.
Detective Hayes collected the photograph.
It showed Natalie leaving Bellissimo the evening before Daniel's death.
She was holding a small paper bag.
She did not remember anyone taking the picture.
On the back was a handwritten message.
SHE HAS THE LAST COPY.
Natalie stared at it.
"I don't have any copy."
Dominic examined the photograph.
"Someone believes you do."
Alessandro looked toward Detective Hayes.
"Can you trace where this was printed?"
"We'll try. The paper and ink may provide information, but there are no guarantees."
Natalie returned to the photograph of Daniel and the unidentified woman.
"Could this be the same person?"
The detective compared the images.
The woman in Daniel's photograph had dark hair and wore a pale scarf. The person in the picture left outside Margaret's home was only visible in reflection, but the outline appeared similar.
"We'll have the images examined," Hayes said.
Natalie felt a new fear.
Daniel had left evidence.
Someone believed she had the last copy.
And now people were approaching an elderly woman who had done nothing except work at a restaurant.
"Margaret needs protection," she said.
"We can arrange contact with a victim support officer and discuss safety measures," the detective replied.
Alessandro offered to pay for temporary accommodation, but Natalie asked that it be arranged through Margaret's attorney and not through the Vitale family.
He agreed.
Later that evening, Dominic returned with an update.
The woman in Daniel's photograph was identified as Olivia Grant, a former Harbor Crest employee. She had worked as an administrative assistant and had resigned shortly after Daniel's death.
Her current address was unknown.
However, an old employment record listed an emergency contact.
Anthony Russo.
Natalie felt sick.
"Why would a Harbor Crest employee list Anthony as an emergency contact?"
"She may have known him before she worked there," Dominic said. "Or the record may be false."
Detective Hayes asked for the original file.
While she worked, Natalie remembered a conversation with Daniel shortly before his death.
He had come home late, set his briefcase on the kitchen table, and stood behind her while she prepared dinner.
"Do you know Olivia Grant?" he had asked.
Natalie had turned.
"Who?"
"Someone from work."
"No. Why?"
He had smiled faintly.
"Nothing. Just checking something."
She had assumed it was ordinary office business.
Now she wondered whether he had been trying to warn her.
She told Alessandro and Dominic.
Dominic immediately searched Daniel's archived emails.
A message from Olivia appeared.
I found the duplicate payment records. Richard knows. Anthony knows. I don't think we can trust the office anymore.
Daniel had replied:
Don't come to the office. We need to meet somewhere safe.
The next message was from Olivia.
I know who has the original files. But I need to know whether you can protect her.
Natalie read the line twice.
"Protect who?"
Dominic scrolled down.
There was no answer.
Then another message appeared, sent from Olivia three hours later.
I'm sorry. He found out.
The email ended there.
Alessandro leaned closer.
"Who is he?"
Dominic looked at the message header.
May you like
The account had been accessed from a computer registered to Bellissimo.
And the last person to log into it was Victor Lane.
