Chapter 3 - THE MAN WHO HAD BEEN SPEAKING FOR HIM
Adrian Voss had been deaf since he was twelve.
A childhood illness had taken most of his hearing.
By sixteen, he had learned to communicate fluently through American Sign Language, written English, and speechreading when circumstances allowed.
His father had treated his deafness as a weakness.
His enemies had treated it as an opportunity.
Adrian had spent decades proving both groups wrong.
He could read contracts faster than most attorneys.
He understood body language with frightening precision.
And he had built an organization where silence was often more useful than speech.
But he had made one mistake.
He had trusted Nolan Pierce.
Nolan joined Voss Development eight years earlier.
At first, he was a junior executive assistant.
Then he became a communications coordinator.
Eventually, he positioned himself as Adrian's chief of staff.
He handled meetings.
Scheduled appointments.
Translated conversations when outside associates didn't know ASL.
And controlled who could speak privately with Adrian.
Adrian had believed Nolan was loyal.
Now he wasn't certain Nolan had ever been honest.
Emma sat in a small library while Adrian's security chief, Marcus Hale, reviewed the night's events.
Marcus was fifty-one, with a shaved head and a calm expression.
Unlike Nolan, he didn't pretend to interpret.
He communicated through a tablet.
He typed:
Mr. Voss wants to make sure you can return home safely.
Emma read the message.
"Can I call my mother?"
Marcus nodded.
"Of course."
He handed her a phone.
Emma dialed the assisted-care facility.
A nurse answered.
Her mother was asleep.
Stable.
Safe.
Emma nearly cried with relief.
Adrian entered a few minutes later.
He carried a tablet.
He signed:
Your employer is not answering his phone.
Emma's stomach tightened.
Frank?
Adrian nodded.
The SUV that brought you here was hired through a company Nolan controls.
Emma stared.
Why?
Adrian's expression hardened.
That's what I intend to find out.
She hesitated.
Then signed:
You didn't ask for me?
No.
You didn't offer four thousand dollars?
No.
Then why was there a second place at the table?
Adrian paused.
His answer came slowly.
Nolan told me a woman had requested a private meeting about a debt.
Emma felt sick.
A debt?
Adrian nodded.
He said she wanted to negotiate repayment.
Emma stared at him.
I don't owe you anything.
I believe you.
She swallowed.
Then somebody wanted you to think I did.
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
May you like
Yes.
And in that moment, both of them understood that the dinner had been arranged for a purpose neither had yet discovered.
