Chapter 4 - THE FILE THAT SHOULDN'T EXIST
Celia discovered the connection three days later.
She was reviewing a tenant-displacement case involving a building on Chicago's South Side.
The landlord had issued eviction notices to twenty-six families.
The property was scheduled for redevelopment.
The buyer was Northstar Holdings.
Celia stared at the name.
She had seen it before.
On documents Travis had left scattered across their apartment.
Back when they lived together.
Back when she still believed his late-night calls were ordinary business.
She opened the case file.
Northstar Holdings had purchased six properties in eighteen months.
Each acquisition followed a similar pattern.
A management company took over.
Maintenance complaints increased.
Tenants received aggressive notices.
Then the buildings were sold at enormous profit.
Celia frowned.
Something was wrong.
The purchase prices didn't match the properties' documented conditions.
She compared the records.
Then found another connection.
Hail Development Partners had arranged financing for three of the transactions.
Travis.
Her stomach tightened.
***
Marissa entered her office.
“You look like you've seen a ghost.”
Celia turned the screen.
“Do you know Northstar Holdings?”
Marissa frowned.
“Why?”
“They're involved in the Benton Street case.”
“I know.”
“Travis's company financed some of their acquisitions.”
Marissa went still.
“Celia.”
“I didn't know until now.”
Marissa sat down.
“Then we need to discuss whether you should remain assigned to this case.”
Celia looked at her.
“I can be objective.”
“I believe you.”
“Then why—”
“Because your safety matters.”
Celia stopped.
Marissa continued.
“We'll reassign the case to another coordinator. You can provide background through counsel.”
Celia wanted to argue.
But she understood.
Her personal connection to Travis could complicate the case.
And Travis had already demonstrated that he was willing to stalk and intimidate her.
She nodded.
“Okay.”
***
That evening, Celia called Lorenzo.
He answered immediately.
“Celia.”
“Do you know Northstar Holdings?”
Silence.
Then:
“Why?”
She explained.
Lorenzo listened without interrupting.
When she finished, he asked:
“Have you shared this with your supervisor?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Celia hesitated.
“Lorenzo.”
“Yes?”
“Are you involved with Northstar?”
A long pause.
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Then why did you recognize the name?”
His voice lowered.
“Because someone has been using it to purchase property around my shipping terminals.”
Celia frowned.
“Why?”
“I don't know yet.”
“Is that why you asked about Travis?”
“Yes.”
She closed her eyes.
“You should have told me.”
“I didn't want to involve you.”
“I'm already involved.”
“I know.”
Celia swallowed.
“Then don't make decisions about what I can handle.”
Silence.
Then Lorenzo said:
“Fair.”
She blinked.
“Fair?”
“You're right.”
Celia stared at the phone.
Travis had spent years turning every disagreement into a trial she was expected to lose.
Lorenzo had just admitted she was right.
Without punishment.
Without argument.
It was such a small thing.
And it nearly made her cry.
***
The next morning, Celia met Evelyn Price.
The attorney was direct, experienced, and unimpressed by Travis's reputation.
They reviewed the messages, the photograph, the incident at the intersection, and Celia's earlier reports.
Evelyn explained the available legal options and helped her prepare a petition for an order of protection.
Celia felt exhausted afterward.
But also lighter.
For the first time, the situation existed outside her own head.
There were documents.
Dates.
Witnesses.
A legal process.
She wasn't imagining it.
***
That afternoon, a receptionist brought Celia a package.
Inside was a photograph.
Celia and Lorenzo standing outside Naomi's building.
Taken from across the street.
On the back:
YOU THINK HE'S DIFFERENT?
Celia stared.
Then noticed something else.
A second photograph.
Lorenzo entering a warehouse.
Beside him stood a man she recognized.
Travis's boss.
Graham Hail.
Celia's blood went cold.
May you like
The note beneath the photograph read:
ASK YOUR NEW HERO WHAT HE DID TO THE LAST WOMAN WHO TRUSTED HIM.
