I force my attention back to the reports. Three pages of surveillance data. Shipping manifests. Financial records.
Meeting a friend.
What friend?
My jaw tightens.
It doesn't matter. She can see whoever she wants. I told her to leave once I get the title. I practically pushed her out the door.
This is what I wanted.
I read the same paragraph four times without absorbing a single word.
Fuck it.
I grab my phone and call Carlo.
He answers on the second ring. "Sir."
"Where is she?"
"Riverside Coffee. Main Street, near the river."
"Who is she with?"
A pause. "A man, sir. They've been talking for about an hour."
A man.
A fucking man.
"What man?" My voice comes out harder than I intended. "Who is he?"
"I don't have a name. Tall. Dark hair. They seem... familiar with each other. He hugged her when she arrived."
He hugged her.
Some stranger put his hands on my wife.
"Why the hell didn't you call me?" I'm gripping the phone so hard the case creaks. "The moment she met up with some random man, you should have?—"
"With respect, sir." Carlo's voice is careful but firm. "You told me not to bother you with updates. You said to call only if there was danger. She's having coffee. There's no threat."
I want to throw the phone across the room.
"Don't you dare interrupt me again Carlo. Where exactly are they sitting?"
"Back of the shop. Away from the windows. They've been talking the whole time."
"Stay on them. I'm coming."
I end the call.
My hands are shaking. Not from weakness. From rage.
Who the fuck is this guy? How does she know him? Why is she meeting him in secret, sneaking out of the compound without telling anyone?
Without telling me.
