“What do you want? If you’re here asking for support payments, forget it. The marriage has already been annulled,” Richard spat. “That’s not why we’re here,” Ian said. “This is a business conversation. First, listen to something.” He pressed play on a recorder. A shaky female voice filled the room: “He turned my life into a living hell…”
“Turn that off!” Richard shouted, grabbing his head. “So you recognize Lydia’s voice,” Ian said evenly. “There’s another recording from Catherine if you’d like to hear that one too.” “Enough,” Richard said, deflating into his chair. “Name your price.”
“We’re not interested in your money,” Emily said. “Do you remember Sam—the logistics employee you framed with the weapons shipment before you ran to our town?” “How do you know about that?” Richard asked, staring at her. “That’s not important,” Emily said. “What matters is this: you’re going to help get him out.”
Only then did Emily realize she was no longer afraid of him. Once, he had seemed all-powerful. Now he looked like what he really was: a cornered coward. “And how exactly am I supposed to do that?” Richard demanded. “Are you out of your minds?” “Mr. Collins,” Ian said, “in addition to those recordings, we have something else.
We can be more than a problem for you. We can be useful. So change your tone and listen.” “Fine,” Richard said, visibly rattled. “Talk.” “Certain people in criminal circles are taking a strong interest in your business,” Emily said. “Specifically, in the details of a major shipment scheduled for the end of the month.”
“And those people are willing to pay very well for the route.” “Who are they?” Richard asked, sweat breaking out across his forehead. “Now you understand why it may be in your interest to work with us,” Emily said. “Where did you get this information?” “Trade secret,” Ian replied. “Clock’s ticking, Mr. Collins. We don’t have all day.”
Richard sat there calculating. His business instincts told him the same thing Ian and Emily already knew: making a deal with them was his best option. He had long suspected there was a leak inside the company but hadn’t been able to identify it. “All right,” he said at last. “You give me the information, I verify it, and I start the process on Sam’s case.”
“That’s not how this works,” Ian said, shaking his head. “You start the process first. Once we see real movement, you get the name. The recorder comes as a bonus. Decide quickly. We’re not bluffing.” “You understand he won’t be released in two days,” Richard said, trying to bargain. “We understand how the system works,” Ian replied. “The moment there are real legal steps in motion, you get everything.”
“Fine,” Richard said. “I’ll start making calls immediately. Give me a number. I’ll keep you informed.” “We’ll be waiting,” Emily said, rising from her chair. She and Ian left him sitting there in deep thought.
Once outside, Emily thanked Ian sincerely. Without him, she never would have dared confront Richard. “Do you think he’ll keep his word?” she asked. “It’s in his best interest,” Ian said. “Sooner or later, ‘new evidence’ will appear. I’m officially on the case now, so I’ll know first.”
“What am I supposed to do in the meantime?” “Hide,” Ian said. “And don’t draw attention to yourself. You can’t stay with my mother—they may be watching her place. I rented you a safe apartment for a couple of weeks. Stay there. You also need to call Vince and tell him you’re still working on the documents. Keep him calm. And please—don’t go wandering around.”
The days in the apartment dragged by. Emily wore herself out waiting for updates. Ian checked in every day with brief reports. She felt trapped between two dangers. More than anything, she feared Vince’s anger. Men like him did not forgive interference.
“Hang tight. I’m on my way,” Ian said one day over the phone. “Richard kept his word. Things are moving.” Emily whispered a prayer of thanks, hoping the end was finally in sight. She paced the room, glancing out the window every few minutes. The moment she saw Ian’s car pull up, she ran to the door.
“Tell me,” she said the second he stepped inside. “Everything’s on track,” Ian said with a smile. “The prosecutor reopened the case based on newly discovered evidence. Your ex-husband followed through. Get dressed—we’ve got a meeting.” “I still don’t understand how he managed it,” Emily said on the drive. “He couldn’t exactly confess to framing Sam.”
“Of course not,” Ian said. “I won’t bore you with legal details, but what he gave investigators is enough to support a reversal. But there’s another problem.” “What now?” Emily asked, alarmed. “Vince,” Ian said. “I’ve got an idea. I think Richard will like it too. We can solve two problems at once.”
Richard was pacing his office when they arrived. Seeing Emily and Ian, he visibly relaxed. “You came through,” he said. “We told you from the start we could be useful,” Ian replied, sitting down. “And now we have a delicate proposal.”
“I’m listening,” Richard said. “Be honest,” Ian said. “Do you still hold a grudge against Emily?” “Not really,” Richard said, glancing at her and then quickly away. “As a matter of fact, she may have saved my business.”
