Chapter 4 - The Letter Daniel Never Finished|
Natalie found the wedding album inside a drawer beneath her television.
She had not opened it in almost two years.
The photographs showed a younger version of herself, smiling beneath a veil while Daniel held her hands. In every picture, he looked at her as though he had discovered something extraordinary.
She turned to the photograph from their first dance.
Behind it was a folded envelope.
Her name was written across the front.
Alessandro stood several feet away while she opened it.
The paper had been folded twice. Daniel's handwriting was unmistakable.
My love,
There are things happening at work that I haven't explained properly. I wanted to tell you when I understood them myself. I don't want you worrying about something I may be able to resolve.
Natalie's eyes blurred.
She continued.
If someone contacts you about my work, don't sign anything they put in front of you. Don't give anyone the documents in my desk drawer. Most importantly, don't believe anyone who tells you I was working alone.
The letter ended abruptly.
There was no signature.
Natalie read it again.
"His desk drawer," she whispered.
"Where was he working?" Alessandro asked.
"At Harbor Crest. But the office was cleared after his death. His employer told me they had returned his personal belongings."
Dominic leaned forward.
"Did they give you everything?"
"I thought so."
"Do you still have the box?"
Natalie nodded slowly.
She had kept Daniel's old laptop, a few notebooks, and a small wooden box of personal items. Most of his work equipment had been collected by his employer.
She brought the wooden box from the bedroom.
Inside were a watch, a pen, a photograph, and a key attached to a blue plastic tag.
The number 314 was written on it.
Natalie turned it over.
"I've never seen this key before."
Dominic examined it without touching the metal.
"It may belong to a storage facility."
"Or a locker," Alessandro said.
Natalie looked at him.
"How would you know?"
"Because Daniel was meeting someone with original records. He may have needed a secure place to keep them."
Dominic took a photograph of the key.
"I'll identify the facility. We won't access anything without confirming the legal position."
Natalie folded Daniel's unfinished letter and placed it carefully in her pocket.
A terrible thought had begun to take shape.
"Did Daniel know he was in danger?"
Neither man answered.
She looked at Alessandro.
"Tell me honestly. Did someone kill my husband?"
"I don't know."
"Would you tell me if you did?"
Alessandro's eyes held hers.
"Yes."
She wanted to believe him.
But she remembered the brother who had once told her that the Vitale family always protected its own, even when the truth was inconvenient.
She remembered the night she had confronted him about a shipment she knew was connected to criminal activity.
She remembered his answer.
You don't understand how this world works.
She had left because she understood too much.
Now she was being pulled back into it by the memory of her dead husband.
A phone rang.
Dominic checked the screen.
"Marco."
He answered and listened.
His expression changed.
"What do you mean someone was there?"
He turned away.
Alessandro stood.
"What happened?"
Dominic ended the call.
"Two men entered the apartment building's parking area this morning. They asked the maintenance worker which unit belonged to Natalie Parker."
Natalie's hand moved to her stomach.
"Did they come upstairs?"
"No. The worker refused to answer, and they left."
Alessandro's expression hardened.
"Do we have their identities?"
"Not yet."
Natalie looked at the key in her palm.
"Maybe they weren't looking for me."
Alessandro glanced at the unfinished letter.
"Whoever they are, they know Daniel left something behind."
Natalie closed her fingers around the key.
Then her phone vibrated.
A new message appeared.
It contained a photograph of the blue plastic tag.
May you like
Below it were four words:
WE KNOW ABOUT 314.
