Chapter 4 - THE WOMAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH
Nia returned to her apartment just after sunrise.
Her hands would not stop shaking.
She locked the door, checked the windows, and sat at the small kitchen table.
A stack of overdue bills waited beside an empty coffee mug.
Her mother's hospital debt.
Rent.
Electricity.
The remaining balance on a loan she had taken out to cover funeral expenses.
She had saved a powerful man's life, perhaps.
But she was still twenty-four years old and almost broke.
Her phone rang.
An unknown number.
She hesitated before answering.
"Miss Lewis?"
"Yes?"
"My name is Daniel Mercer. I'm an attorney representing Matteo Costa."
Nia's stomach tightened.
"Am I in trouble?"
"No. Mr. Costa wants to make sure you're safe."
"I'm fine."
"Have you received any unusual calls?"
"No."
"Has anyone approached you?"
"No."
"Please contact the authorities if that changes. We can also help you arrange independent legal advice."
Nia frowned.
"Why would I need a lawyer?"
"Because you may be a witness in a serious criminal investigation."
She looked toward the window.
Across the street, a gray SUV sat beside the curb.
A man inside appeared to be watching her building.
Nia stood.
"Mr. Mercer?"
"Yes?"
"I think someone followed me home."
The attorney's voice changed.
"Are you somewhere secure?"
"I think so."
"Stay inside. Call the police. Give them the vehicle description."
Nia moved away from the window.
For the first time, she understood the full danger of what she had done.
She had not merely challenged a doctor's diagnosis.
May you like
She had interrupted someone's plan.
And whoever had been poisoning Matteo Costa now knew exactly who had stopped it.
