Chapter 9 - The First Time Richard Protected Me
Valerie and I left through the kitchen.
The cook shouted after us.
We ignored him.
I called the estate driver, but he was twenty minutes away.
Valerie had parked behind the diner.
We ran toward her car.
The black SUV moved around the building.
“They’re coming.”
Valerie’s hands shook so badly she dropped her keys.
I grabbed them.
We got inside.
I drove.
The SUV followed.
I did not try to outrun it.
I was not in an action movie.
I drove toward a police station.
The moment the building came into view, the SUV turned away.
Valerie began crying.
I pulled into the station parking lot.
“Go inside.”
“What about you?”
“I’m calling someone.”
“Michael?”
“No.”
I called Richard.
He answered immediately.
“What happened?”
I told him.
His voice changed.
“Stay where you are.”
“I’m at a police station.”
“Good.”
“I need to come back.”
“No.”
“Richard.”
“Maya, listen to me.”
His tone became calm and commanding.
“Those men may know where you work.”
“They probably do.”
“Then the estate is the first place they’ll expect you to return.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Give Valerie the flash drive.”
“She gave it to me.”
“Then make copies.”
“I can do that.”
“Afterward, leave one copy with the police.”
“On what report?”
Richard paused.
“Tell them you believe you’re being followed because you possess evidence related to corporate fraud.”
“That will bring attention to you.”
“I know.”
For someone who had spent months hiding, the answer mattered.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
I made the report.
Valerie gave a statement.
By sunrise, three copies of the Lazarus files existed in three different places.
When I finally returned to Winnetka, two unfamiliar security guards stood at the estate gate.
Richard had replaced Ethan’s men overnight.
Ethan was furious.
He confronted me in the entrance hall.
“Where were you?”
“Personal business.”
“You left without permission.”
I almost laughed.
“I’m an employee, Ethan.”
“You live under this roof.”
“And?”
“I expect to know where staff members are.”
Richard’s voice came from behind us.
“She answers to me.”
Ethan turned.
Richard sat in his motorized wheelchair near the library doors.
Ethan smiled tightly.
“Of course.”
Richard looked toward me.
“Maya, I need help in my office.”
I followed him.
Once the door closed, I noticed the lock had been changed.
“You replaced security.”
I said.
“Yes.”
“Won’t Ethan become suspicious?”
“He already is.”
Richard rolled toward his desk.
“You should leave the estate.”
I stared at him.
“Again?”
“This time I mean it.”
“Why?”
“Because last night made this real.”
“It was real when someone tried to kill you.”
“That was my problem.”
“And now?”
He looked at me.
“Now they know you’re part of it.”
I sat across from him.
“Richard, my entire marriage ended because everyone around me expected me to keep shrinking whenever somebody else behaved badly.”
He said nothing.
“I’m done leaving rooms because dishonest people want me gone.”
Something softened in his expression.
“You barely know me.”
“I know enough.”
“Which is?”
“You’re scared.”
Richard looked away.
“So am I.”
I continued.
“But whoever did this wants everyone frightened and isolated.”
His eyes returned to mine.
“That only works if we cooperate.”
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then he reached across the desk.
His hand stopped between us.
Not touching mine.
Simply offering it.
“Partners?”
I looked at him.
“Until we find the truth.”
May you like
I placed my hand in his.
“Partners.”
