Chapter 3 - THE DRIVER WHO KNEW TOO MUCHThomas Reed had driven Alejandro Moretti for eight years.
He knew every route.
Every safehouse.
Every secret meeting point.
He knew which hospitals could be trusted.
Which police officers could be bought.
Which restaurants had private exits.
He knew where Alejandro kept his second phone.
And he knew the man never sat with his back to a door.
Thomas was also the only employee who could enter Alejandro's private garage without security approval.
That made him useful.
It also made him dangerous.
Victor found Thomas in the garage at 7:40 p.m.
“What are you doing?”
Thomas turned.
“Checking the vehicles.”
“Why?”
“I was told the gates were locked.”
Victor walked closer.
“You were seen outside the study.”
Thomas smiled faintly.
“Everyone in this house is being watched.”
“Answer the question.”
“I walked past the hallway.”
“Why?”
“Because I live here too.”
Victor's expression hardened.
“You don't.”
Thomas stopped smiling.
“I've worked here eight years.”
Victor stepped closer.
“Your keycard was used at 2:49 p.m.”
Thomas's face remained calm.
“For the garage.”
“No.”
Victor held up a tablet.
“The access point was the service staircase.”
Thomas said nothing.
Victor tapped the screen.
“Your card entered the staff corridor.”
Thomas stared at the timestamp.
“Someone borrowed my card.”
“Who?”
“I don't know.”
Victor grabbed his collar.
Thomas didn't resist.
That was when Alejandro entered.
“Let him go.”
Victor released him.
Alejandro walked into the garage.
Thomas lowered his head.
“Boss.”
Alejandro looked at him.
“Were you upstairs today?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I brought documents.”
“Did you enter my study?”
“No.”
Alejandro watched his eyes.
“Do you know Emma Carter?”
Thomas hesitated.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“She is the maid's daughter.”
Alejandro nodded.
“Did you see her today?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“In the hallway.”
“Before or after I collapsed?”
Thomas paused.
“After.”
Alejandro smiled slightly.
“Interesting.”
Thomas said nothing.
Alejandro walked closer.
“Because Emma says she saw you in my study before she entered.”
Thomas's jaw tightened.
“Children misunderstand things.”
Alejandro's eyes went cold.
“Most adults underestimate children.”
Thomas stared at him.
Alejandro suddenly pulled a gun.
Victor moved automatically.
Thomas did not.
The weapon remained aimed at Thomas's chest.
“You have ten seconds.”
Thomas swallowed.
“For what?”
“To tell me the truth.”
“I already did.”
Alejandro raised the gun slightly.
“You were in my study.”
“No.”
“You used a keycard there.”
“No.”
“You have been lying to me for years.”
Thomas's eyes flickered.
Alejandro noticed.
That was enough.
He lowered the gun.
“Take him.”
Two guards grabbed Thomas.
Thomas finally panicked.
“Boss, listen to me.”
Alejandro turned away.
“You should have listened to me when you had the chance.”
Thomas shouted.
“You're looking in the wrong direction!”
Alejandro stopped.
Thomas's breathing became frantic.
“Your sister didn't poison you.”
Silence.
“She didn't put the camera there.”
Alejandro slowly turned.
“Then who did?”
Thomas stared directly at him.
“Someone who has had access to your bedroom every night for years.”
The guards exchanged glances.
Alejandro's face became unreadable.
“Name.”
Thomas opened his mouth.
Before he could speak, the lights went out.
The garage plunged into darkness.
A gunshot exploded.
One guard fell.
Another shouted.
Alejandro grabbed Victor and pulled him behind a vehicle.
Three more shots.
Then silence.
Emergency lights flickered on.
Thomas was gone.
His restraints lay open on the concrete.
The dead guard was beside him.
Alejandro stared at the empty space.
Victor rushed over.
“How did he get out?”
Alejandro didn't answer.
He looked at the dead guard.
There was no gunshot wound.
A thin puncture mark sat beneath his ear.
Poison.
Alejandro crouched.
Attached to the guard's belt was a small piece of paper.
A single sentence had been written on it.
THE MAN WHO SAVED YOU IS NOT THE ONE YOU SHOULD TRUST.
Alejandro read it twice.
Then his phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
A child's voice whispered from the other end.
“Mr. Moretti?”
Alejandro froze.
It was Emma.
“Emma?”
“They found the room.”
“What room?”
“The one Mommy told me never to open.”
The line went dead.
Alejandro looked toward Victor.
“Where is Clara?”
Victor pulled out his phone.
May you like
His face changed.
“She isn't answering.”
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