Chapter 4 - THE MESSAGE FROM INSIDE THE EMPIRE
Adrian read the report twice.
The threatening message had originated from a phone assigned to a subsidiary of Vale Development Holdings.
The device had been registered to a man named Victor Sloane.
Adrian knew the name.
Victor was the company's chief operating officer.
Forty-six.
Polished.
Efficient.
A man who could discuss construction contracts over breakfast and arrange illegal favors before lunch.
He had worked for Adrian for twelve years.
Adrian closed the folder.
“Bring him in.”
Dante hesitated.
“Boss, Victor is meeting investors.”
“Cancel it.”
Dante nodded.
Then Adrian added:
“And don't tell him why.”
At St. Matthew's, Evelyn returned to work after only six hours of sleep.
Her supervisor, Dr. Helen Foster, looked at her with concern.
“You should be home.”
Evelyn tied her hair back.
“We're short-staffed.”
“We're always short-staffed.”
“I know.”
Dr. Foster lowered her voice.
“The police called about Daniel Mercer.”
Evelyn froze.
“What did they want?”
“His records. They're reviewing the circumstances of his injury.”
Evelyn nodded.
Then Dr. Foster added:
“And someone from Vale Development called asking whether you'd discussed his treatment.”
Evelyn's stomach dropped.
“Who?”
“They wouldn't give a name.”
She looked toward the emergency-room doors.
A man in a dark coat stood near the reception desk.
Watching.
Evelyn felt her pulse accelerate.
Then he approached.
“Miss Hart?”
She stepped back.
“Who are you?”
He showed identification.
“Detective Michael Reyes. Chicago Police Department.”
Relief washed through her.
He continued.
“I'd like to ask you a few questions about Daniel Mercer.”
Evelyn nodded.
They moved into a private conference room.
Detective Reyes placed a photograph on the table.
It showed Daniel standing beside a construction site.
Next to him was Victor Sloane.
Evelyn stared.
“Do you know this man?”
She shook her head.
“Should I?”
Reyes leaned forward.
“Daniel Mercer filed a complaint against him three weeks before his death.”
Evelyn swallowed.
“For what?”
“Allegedly falsifying structural safety reports.”
Silence.
Then Reyes said:
“We believe Daniel was preparing to provide evidence to federal investigators.”
Evelyn looked at the photograph.
“Then someone had a reason to silence him.”
Reyes nodded.
“Yes.”
He hesitated.
“And Miss Hart?”
May you like
She looked up.
“We have reason to believe you're now being watched by the same people.”
