Chapter 5 - THE MAN WHO WANTED HER SILENT
Evelyn called Detective Pierce immediately.
By the time police arrived, the black car was gone.
But the message had been clear.
Daniel was in jail.
Victor Kane was not.
The detectives placed Evelyn under temporary protection while they built their case. She moved into a secure hotel with Max, Nora, and two officers assigned to monitor the floor.
For the first time, Evelyn understood how fragile her old life had been.
She had always believed wealth meant safety.
Her father’s house had gates, alarms, cameras, and private security. Her company had lawyers and executives. Her engagement ring alone was worth more than most people earned in a year.
But none of it had protected her from a man sleeping beside her every night while planning her death.
None of it had protected her from believing the wrong person.
Except Max.
Max had never cared about the ring, the house, or the business.
He had only cared about her.
Two days later, Detective Pierce brought Evelyn news.
“We found the contractor who helped Daniel,” she said.
“Is he going to testify?”
“He wants a deal.”
The contractor, a frightened man named Harold Finch, admitted that Daniel paid him to damage the support structure beneath the church aisle. He claimed he did not know Daniel planned to use an explosive device until it was too late.
“He says Victor Kane ordered Daniel to make the death look public,” Detective Pierce explained. “A tragic event in front of witnesses. That way no one would question it.”
Evelyn felt sick.
“Why would Victor care how it looked?”
“Because Kane intended to take control of Carter Maritime afterward. Your company’s shipping routes would be valuable to him.”
The pieces finally came together.
The wedding was not just a crime.
It was a corporate takeover built on murder.
Then Evelyn’s phone rang.
Unknown number.
She answered despite Detective Pierce’s warning.
A man’s voice spoke calmly.
“You have your father’s documents.”
Evelyn froze.
“Who is this?”
“You know who it is.”
Victor Kane.
“You think those papers will save you?” he continued. “Your father was stubborn too.”
Evelyn’s heart hammered.
“What did you do to my father?”
A pause.
Then Kane laughed softly.
“Ask yourself why a healthy man died of a heart attack two days after he learned Daniel was planning to marry you.”
The call ended.
Evelyn dropped the phone.
Her father had not simply died.
He may have been murdered.
That night, Detective Pierce ordered an emergency search of Kane’s offices and properties. But Kane had disappeared.
Then, just before dawn, the fire alarm sounded in the hotel.
Guests flooded into the hallway.
In the confusion, a man dressed as a firefighter approached Evelyn.
“Ma’am, this way,” he said.
Max began barking.
Not nervous barking.
Warning barking.
The man reached for Evelyn’s arm.
Max attacked.
The man shoved Max aside and pulled out a syringe.
Evelyn screamed.
Nora hit the emergency button near the stairwell, and the hallway filled with security officers.
The fake firefighter ran.
But not before dropping a small card on the floor.
On it was an address.
And written in black ink were four words:
May you like
COME ALONE OR ELSE.
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