Chapter 4 - THE FOUR THOUSAND DOLLAR LIE
Frank Moran disappeared before sunrise.
His diner remained closed.
The lights were off.
A handwritten sign on the door read:
FAMILY EMERGENCY.
Emma stared at the photograph Marcus showed her.
Frank had never closed for a family emergency.
He hadn't even closed when his brother died.
Something was terribly wrong.
Adrian arranged for Emma to return home with a female security officer.
He also gave her a written statement confirming that she had been brought to his residence under false pretenses.
Emma refused the envelope of cash Marcus offered.
"I didn't work."
Marcus typed her words for Adrian.
Adrian signed:
You lost a night's wages because someone lied to you.
Emma shook her head.
I don't want your money.
Adrian studied her.
Then nodded.
Understood.
When Emma reached her apartment, she found an eviction notice taped to the door.
She stood in the hallway staring at it.
Nine days late.
Final warning.
Her hands shook.
Then her phone buzzed.
An unknown number.
You should have kept your mouth shut.
Emma froze.
Another message appeared.
Your mother won't always have nurses watching her.
Her blood turned cold.
She called the police.
Then Marcus.
Within an hour, Adrian knew.
He stood in his office reading the screenshots.
His expression hardened.
Nolan had disappeared.
Frank had disappeared.
And someone was threatening Emma's mother.
Adrian signed to Marcus:
Find out who sent these messages.
Marcus nodded.
Then Adrian added:
And arrange lawful protection for the woman and her mother. Ask what she wants before making decisions.
Marcus looked surprised.
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
She is not property.
That evening, Emma received another message.
This one contained a photograph.
Her mother.
Sitting in the assisted-care facility's garden.
Taken that afternoon.
Beneath it were six words.
TELL VOSS THE DINNER WAS REAL.
Emma stared.
Then realized the truth.
Someone didn't merely want to frighten her.
May you like
They wanted her to lie.
And they were willing to threaten the only family she had left to make it happen.
