Chapter 4 - THE PHOTOGRAPH AT THE HOTEL DESK
Evelyn planned to return to New York on Sunday.
By Saturday evening, she was no longer sure that was possible.
A hotel employee approached her in the lobby.
“Miss Foster?”
“Yes?”
“Someone left this for you.”
He handed her an envelope.
Inside was a photograph.
It showed Evelyn standing beside Antonio's seat during the emergency.
Someone had taken it from farther back in the cabin.
On the reverse was a message.
YOU SHOULD HAVE LET HIM DIE.
Evelyn felt the blood drain from her face.
She immediately informed hotel security and the police.
Inspector O'Connell arrived within an hour.
“Did anyone see who delivered it?”
“The front desk says a courier.”
“Was there a return address?”
“No.”
O'Connell studied the photograph.
Then looked at Evelyn.
“This was taken before the aircraft landed.”
Evelyn nodded.
“Which means someone on the plane had it.”
The detective's expression darkened.
“Yes.”
At the hospital, Antonio received the news from Marco.
His face became dangerously still.
“Someone threatened her?”
Marco nodded.
“Police are handling it.”
Antonio looked toward the window.
“Who had a view of her during the emergency?”
“Several passengers.”
“Find the passenger list through the investigators.”
Marco hesitated.
“Antonio—”
“Legally.”
Marco blinked.
Antonio looked back at him.
“I'm not giving Luca another excuse to bury evidence.”
That night, Evelyn sat in her hotel room with every light on.
She had never been particularly afraid of flying.
She had never imagined that saving a passenger could make her a target.
Her phone rang.
Unknown number.
She hesitated.
Then answered.
“Hello?”
A man's voice spoke.
“Miss Foster?”
She recognized it immediately.
Antonio Vitelli.
“How did you get this number?”
“Through my attorney, with your airline's permission.”
Evelyn frowned.
“Why are you calling?”
A pause.
Then he said, “To apologize.”
She sat straighter.
“For what?”
“For the danger my family has brought into your life.”
Evelyn looked toward the envelope on the desk.
“You didn't ask me to help you.”
“No.”
“And I didn't ask to become involved in your family.”
“I know.”
Silence.
Then Antonio said, “The police believe someone tried to harm me.”
Evelyn swallowed.
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
He hesitated.
“Someone I trusted.”
May you like
Evelyn closed her eyes.
Then quietly said, “That's usually the worst kind.”
