Chapter 2 - THE GIRL WHO REFUSED TO BE AFRAID
The first thing Diane did after the security guards released her outside the hotel was count the money.
Five thousand dollars.
The bills were real.
She checked them twice beneath the yellow light of a streetlamp, her fingers trembling so badly that she nearly dropped the envelope.
She should have felt relieved.
Instead, she felt sick.
Behind her, the hotel's revolving doors opened.
A man in a dark suit approached.
"Miss Harper?"
Diane backed away.
"Please. I didn't know who he was."
The man stopped.
"My name is Marcus Hale. I work for Mr. Greedy."
Her stomach dropped.
"Are you here to hurt me?"
Marcus looked genuinely surprised.
"No."
"Then why are you following me?"
"Because Mr. Greedy wants to speak with you tomorrow."
Diane shook her head.
"I'm not going anywhere with him."
Marcus reached into his jacket.
She flinched.
He noticed and slowly withdrew a business card.
"That's my number. Call when you're ready."
She stared at him.
"What happens if I don't?"
Marcus hesitated.
Then said:
"Nothing tonight."
It was not a comforting answer.
Diane took the bus home.
The ride lasted forty minutes.
She spent every minute imagining black SUVs following her.
When she finally reached her apartment, she found Sadi asleep on the sofa beneath a faded pink blanket.
A schoolbook rested against the girl's chest.
Diane knelt beside her.
For a moment, she simply watched her sister breathe.
Then she whispered:
"I'm sorry."
Sadi stirred.
"Diane?"
"Go back to sleep, sweetheart."
"Did the rich people give you a lot of tips?"
Diane looked at the envelope.
"Something like that."
Sadi smiled sleepily.
"Good. Maybe you can rest tomorrow."
Diane kissed her forehead.
"I hope so."
At six the next morning, someone knocked on the apartment door.
Three sharp knocks.
Diane froze.
She looked through the peephole.
Marcus Hale stood outside.
Alone.
She opened the door only a few inches.
"What are you doing here?"
He held up a small paper bag.
"Breakfast."
Diane stared.
"What?"
"Mr. Greedy asked me to bring this."
"I don't want anything from him."
Marcus nodded.
"Understood."
He set the bag on the floor.
Then added:
"He also asked me to tell you something."
Diane swallowed.
"What?"
Marcus looked directly at her.
"The woman who paid you was lying about more than his identity."
Diane went cold.
"What does that mean?"
Marcus hesitated.
May you like
Then said:
"Catherine Voss didn't choose you by accident."
