“What? Why?”
“What if it’s the same guy?”
“That’s crazy.”
“No, this is crazy.” He motioned to the chaos in the lobby. “We were robbed. By professionals. Do you know how much security this place has?”
Semele did know and her head was spinning. She looked around as if the thief were still there. Of course the man following her was connected to the theft. He had to be. And now she had the only copy of what they had taken.
“Listen,” she said, lowering her voice. “Don’t tell anyone I made a digital.”
Cabe scowled.
“Promise me,” she insisted. “It’s safer if no one knows.”
“I don’t know.” He let out a deep breath. “This doesn’t feel right.”
“You’re telling me,” she agreed. Mikhail got off the elevator and headed toward her. In all her time working for him, she had never seen him this stressed.
He sounded rushed. “Semele, I uploaded the Beijing file to the server. We’re going to have to meet tomorrow.” His eyes scanned the lobby. “I’m dealing with the FBI and insurance agents today. They’ve closed off all the floors.”
“You mean, I can’t go upstairs?” She needed to see Marcel’s collection, to see for herself that the manuscript was really gone.
Mikhail shook his head. “Keep your phone on. There’s a chance the investigators will want to question you.”
Semele nodded, though the possibility of being questioned made her stomach lurch. She had brought the manuscript to Kairos.And she’d made a secret copy.She glanced over at Cabe.
“Fritz is handling things—for now.” Mikhail noticed their silent exchange. “But the investigators may want to speak with you too. Cabe, you’re with me.” He hurried to go shake hands with a suited man who had just entered the building, most likely the insurance agent.
Semele shot Cabe a look. They’d talk later.
***
Semele hurried to the subway station, looking up and down the street with a growing sense of panic. If she had the only known copy, would whoever stole it come after that as well?
Her cell phone rang and the number flashed across her screen.
Holy hell, why was Theo calling?
She picked up. “Mr. Bossard, I’m so sorry. Have you been informed about the incident?” she asked, floundering. She had no clue how to handle this call.
“Mikhail called me,” he said. “Are you all right?”
The question caught her off guard. “I’ve only just heard the news. I’m so sorry.” She apologized again. “I hope the investigators recover the piece.”
She waited for him to respond, but there was only silence from his end. She hedged. “Mikhail and Fritz will be following up with the investigators and keeping you apprised.” She heard him sigh, but still he said nothing. Just what did he want her to say? Why was he calling?
He finally spoke. “Semele, I’m afraid I haven’t been entirely frank with you about my father. This isn’t happening like I expected.”
A chill burrowed deep inside her.So he knew.He had known all along about Ionna’s manuscript.
It was as if the veil between them was falling away.
“There are certain things I need to share with you, but it’s best to do so in person. I’m in Rome right now but can be there by the end of the week.”
“Friday,” she whispered. The thought she’d had this morning was coming true.
“Yes. Until then, be careful.”
