Daniel Bell had started the investigation that destroyed their family. Had been so righteous, so determined to do the right thing, that he’d never considered the consequences. Never thought about Robert Whitmore’s wife and son and nephew who would lose everything.
And Nora was the same. Getting people fired without thinking about the fallout. Destroying lives with her meticulous audits and moral superiority.
She’d gotten Dan fired five years ago. Reported him for a mistake—just a mistake—that had cost him his job and his reputation. He’d had to change his name, start over, claw his way back into the firm under false credentials.
All so he could be close to her. Watch her. Wait for the right moment.
Eugene had been sloppy, let his emotions get the better of him. Had attacked too early, gotten caught, ruined everything.
But Dan was smarter. More patient.
He knew where Nora was. Had followed the detective’s car from the station to the Grandview Hotel earlier. Had watched them go inside.
Room 814. He’d bribed a housekeeping staff member to get the information. Easy when youknew how to charm people, how to make them trust you.
And tonight, when the detective left—and he would leave, because cops couldn’t stay glued to victims forever—Dan would make his move.
He’d finish what Eugene started.
He’d make Nora Bell pay for every life she’d destroyed.
Starting with her own.
Dan started his car and drove past the Grandview one more time, noting the cop car outside. The security cameras. The doorman.
Obstacles. But not insurmountable ones.
He’d been planning this for five years. He could wait a few more hours.
By morning, Nora Bell would be dead.
And the debt would finally be paid.
***
Nora paced the hotel room, unable to sit still.
It had been an hour since Carson left. An hour of checking her phone, checking the locks, checking the window, checking everything because sitting still meant thinking.
And thinking meant remembering Eugene’s hand around her throat. The knife. The certainty that she was going to die.
Her phone buzzed with a text from Lila:Please call me. I’m worried about you. Whatever’s happening, I want to help.
Nora stared at the message. She’d been keeping Lila at arm’s length, not wanting to worry her, not wanting to admit how bad things had gotten.
But maybe Lila deserved to know the truth.
She dialed.
Lila answered immediately. “Nora! Thank God. Are you okay? Where are you?”
“I can’t tell you where I am. But I’m safe. The stalker—his name was Eugene. He’s in custody now.”
“Was? Is he—”
“There might be someone else. Someone he was working with. The police are looking for him now.”
“Oh my God.” Lila’s voice cracked. “Nora, I’m so sorry. I should have believed you. Should have listened when you said something was wrong.”
