Chapter 6 - THE NAME HIDDEN IN THE FILE
Kalin suspended Dario pending an investigation.
He ordered a review of the guard's employment history.
Giovanni returned with troubling information.
Dario's references were false.
His previous employer had never heard of him.
His identification documents contained inconsistencies.
Kalin stared at the file.
“Who hired him?”
Giovanni hesitated.
“I approved the recommendation.”
“From whom?”
The old adviser looked down.
“Your cousin, Matteo.”
Kalin's expression darkened.
Matteo Caruso had spent years trying to gain influence within the family.
He was charming.
Ambitious.
And increasingly resentful of Kalin's authority.
Kalin closed the file.
“Find him.”
***
Meanwhile, Rebecca discovered a photograph in Sophia's memory box.
Bella Caruso stood beside a woman with dark hair.
Rebecca recognized her immediately.
Elena Marquez.
The protected witness who had disappeared.
Her heart stopped.
Sophia sat beside her.
“Who's in the picture?”
Rebecca swallowed.
“Where did you get this?”
“Mommy kept it.”
Rebecca stared.
“Did your mother know the woman?”
Sophia nodded.
“They were friends.”
Rebecca closed her eyes.
Everything shifted.
Bella had known Elena.
Elena had been preparing to testify.
Bella had died months later.
And both incidents involved people connected to the Caruso organization.
***
Rebecca took the photograph to Kalin.
He stared.
“Where did you find this?”
“In Sophia's room.”
Kalin's expression changed.
“Elena.”
Rebecca looked up.
“You knew her?”
He nodded slowly.
“She was Bella's cousin.”
Rebecca felt cold.
“Why didn't anyone tell me?”
Kalin frowned.
“Tell you?”
Rebecca realized her mistake.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Kalin stood.
“Who are you?”
Rebecca's pulse accelerated.
He stepped closer.
“Rachel Vance isn't your real name.”
She swallowed.
“No.”
Kalin's expression hardened.
“Then start talking.”
Rebecca took a breath.
“My name is Rebecca Vale.”
Silence.
“I was assigned to protect Elena Marquez.”
Kalin stared.
Then whispered:
“You were there the night she disappeared.”
Rebecca nodded.
May you like
“Yes.”
And for the first time, Kalin understood that the maid in his house had come carrying a past as dangerous as his own.
