Chapter 6 - THE NIGHT DANIEL MERCER DIED
Daniel Mercer died on a rainy Tuesday in March.
Sophie remembered every detail.
The wet pavement.
The smell of gasoline.
The flickering streetlight outside the accounting office.
And her brother's final phone call.
"He asked me to meet him," Sophie whispered.
Lorenzo listened.
"He said he'd found something important. Something that could destroy people."
She swallowed.
"I arrived late."
"How late?"
"Ten minutes."
Her eyes filled.
"When I got there, Daniel was arguing with someone beside his car."
Lorenzo felt cold.
"Who?"
Sophie looked at him.
"Santino."
The garage seemed to go silent.
Sophie continued.
"Daniel was holding a folder. Santino tried to take it."
She wiped her cheeks.
"Daniel refused."
Lorenzo swallowed.
"Then?"
"Santino hit him."
She closed her eyes.
"Daniel fell. His head struck the curb."
Lorenzo felt sick.
"He was still alive?"
Sophie nodded.
"He was moving."
Her voice broke.
"Santino dragged him into the car."
Lorenzo stared.
"And you?"
"I hid."
She began crying.
"I was afraid."
Lorenzo stepped closer.
"Sophie—"
"I watched him drive away."
Her voice collapsed.
"I should have helped my brother."
Lorenzo took a slow breath.
"You couldn't have stopped Santino alone."
She shook her head.
"I could have called someone."
"Did you?"
"Yes."
She looked at him.
"I called the police. Then I called your office."
Lorenzo went still.
"My office?"
She nodded.
"I asked for you."
"Who answered?"
Her eyes hardened.
"Camila."
Lorenzo felt the world tilt.
"She told me you were unavailable," Sophie continued.
"Then?"
"She asked what happened."
Sophie swallowed.
"I told her."
Lorenzo stared.
"And?"
"She said she'd send help."
Silence.
"Nobody came."
The next morning, Daniel's body was found inside his car.
The official report called it suicide.
Sophie tried to challenge the conclusion.
But her evidence disappeared.
Her apartment was searched.
Her calls went unanswered.
And eventually, someone threatened her life.
"Why didn't you tell me when you started working here?" Lorenzo asked.
Sophie looked at him.
"Because Camila knew my name."
He frowned.
"Then why hire you?"
Sophie swallowed.
"She didn't."
Lorenzo stared.
"Marco did."
A pause.
Then she added:
"And I think he knew exactly who I was."
Outside, Santino's men began moving toward the garage.
Lorenzo looked toward Isabella.
His daughter was frightened.
Exhausted.
And far too young to understand the betrayal surrounding her.
He knelt.
"Bella."
She looked up.
"Yes, Daddy?"
"Do you trust Miss Sophie?"
She nodded immediately.
"Yes."
Lorenzo looked at Sophie.
Then back at his daughter.
"Stay close to her."
Isabella nodded.
He stood.
Santino wanted a confrontation.
Camila wanted control.
Marco wanted whatever he'd been promised.
But Lorenzo had something they didn't expect.
A witness.
Evidence.
And a daughter who had seen the first part of their plan.
He looked at Sophie.
"We're going to get out of this."
She swallowed.
"How?"
May you like
Lorenzo glanced toward the garage door.
"By making sure the truth reaches people they can't silence."
