Chapter 5 - THE RECORDING IN THE LEATHER BAG|
Sofia placed a small digital recorder on the table.
Audrey did not touch it.
“What's on it?”
“My brother's last conversation with Celeste.”
“Why would he be speaking to her?”
“Because he was trying to return the money.”
Sofia explained that her brother, Daniel Bell, had worked as a financial controller for one of Ronin's shipping companies. He had discovered that millions were being moved through charitable accounts and had threatened to report the transactions.
Two weeks later, he vanished.
The police had treated his disappearance as voluntary. His apartment had been emptied. His bank accounts had been closed. His employer had denied knowing where he was.
Sofia had spent two years searching.
Then she received an envelope containing the recorder.
“Who sent it?” Audrey asked.
“I don't know. There was no return address.”
“Have you listened to it?”
“More times than I can count.”
Sofia pressed play.
A man's voice filled the small space between them.
“Celeste, I have the transfer records. I know where the money went.”
A woman's voice answered.
“Then give them to me.”
“You said this would be handled quietly.”
“It will be.”
“What about Ronin?”
“He doesn't know everything.”
The recording crackled.
Then Daniel spoke again.
“If he finds out I copied the files, I'm dead.”
Celeste's voice became colder.
“Then you shouldn't have copied them.”
The recording ended.
Audrey stared at the recorder.
“Is that all?”
“No.”
Sofia pressed another button.
A second conversation began.
This time, Ronin's voice was unmistakable.
“Make sure Daniel doesn't reach the authorities.”
Audrey felt the room tilt.
The recording continued.
Celeste said, “And what about his sister?”
Ronin answered, “Leave her alone.”
“She's already asking questions.”
“Then make her stop.”
The recording ended.
Audrey sat motionless.
She had heard Ronin threaten men before. She had seen the way his enemies feared him. But she had never heard him speak about an ordinary person as if their life were an inconvenience to be managed.
“Is Daniel alive?” she asked.
Sofia shook her head.
“I don't know.”
Audrey looked at her.
“Why give me this?”
“Because your name is on the transfers. If the money disappears, you'll be blamed. And because I think Celeste wants to make sure neither of us can talk.”
Audrey slipped the recorder into her bag.
“Do you have copies?”
“Two.”
“Where?”
“Somewhere safe.”
Sofia looked toward the diner window.
A black sedan had stopped across the street.
Her face drained of color.
“That's them.”
Audrey turned.
The sedan's headlights flashed twice.
A man stepped out.
Sofia grabbed Audrey's wrist.
“Don't move.”
The man entered the diner.
He was wearing a gray suit and carrying no visible weapon. He walked directly toward their booth.
“Mrs. Keane,” he said politely. “Mr. Keane would like you to come home.”
Audrey stared at him.
“Who are you?”
“Victor Lane. Mr. Keane's legal representative.”
“I have an attorney.”
“I'm aware.”
Victor placed an envelope on the table.
“Your husband wants to resolve the misunderstanding before it becomes public.”
Audrey did not open it.
“What misunderstanding?”
“The foundation accounts. The gala. The unfortunate presence of Miss Ward.”
Sofia stood.
“Stay away from her.”
Victor glanced at her.
“Ms. Bell. I was hoping we'd meet.”
Sofia went pale.
Audrey understood then.
Victor knew exactly who she was.
He had not come to bring Audrey home.
He had come to retrieve the recording.
Audrey pushed the recorder deeper into her bag.
“Tell Ronin I'll speak to him through my lawyer.”
Victor smiled.
“I'm afraid that's not an option.”
May you like
Two men appeared at the entrance.
And the diner door locked behind them.
