Chapter 4 - The Spy Behind the Walls
Marcus drew his weapon and signaled for silence.
Daniel covered Hope with his body while Lena crouched beside the couch.
The camera above the hallway shifted again.
Marcus moved through the penthouse room by room. He checked the kitchen, bedrooms, service corridor, and private office.
No one was there.
Then he opened the utility closet.
A small wireless transmitter had been taped behind the electrical panel. It was broadcasting through a private frequency.
“This wasn’t installed today,” Marcus said. “It’s been here for months.”
Daniel’s expression hardened.
“Only three people have unrestricted access.”
Marcus nodded.
“Me, your mother, and Mrs. Alden.”
Mrs. Alden had served the Cross family for thirty years. She had managed Daniel’s home since childhood and comforted him after Lena vanished.
Lena whispered, “The older woman who brought me food sometimes had a limp.”
Mrs. Alden had walked with a limp since a car accident.
Daniel called her through the internal intercom.
No response.
Marcus checked the staff exit. Her coat and handbag were gone.
They reviewed private footage from the garage. Mrs. Alden had left eleven minutes earlier carrying a small suitcase.
“She saw me,” Lena said.
Daniel sent the footage to Rebecca Sloan.
Seconds later, Rebecca called through the encrypted line.
“Mrs. Alden’s vehicle is moving toward the Cross Foundation headquarters,” she said. “Evelyn’s board dinner starts in ninety minutes.”
“Stop her,” Daniel ordered.
“We can’t. Not yet. If we arrest the courier, Evelyn may run.”
Daniel understood.
For two years, Rebecca’s team had investigated Lena’s disappearance quietly. They had found falsified records, offshore transfers, and deleted surveillance files—but nothing directly tying Evelyn to murder or kidnapping.
Lena’s return could change everything.
Only if Evelyn incriminated herself.
Daniel turned to Lena.
“I need to attend the dinner and act as though I know nothing.”
Lena’s face tightened with fear.
“She’ll know the moment Mrs. Alden reaches her.”
“That’s why we’ll make sure she receives the wrong message.”
Marcus held up the transmitter.
Daniel’s eyes turned cold.
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“We’re going to tell my mother exactly what she wants to hear.”
👉 Evelyn believed her spy was bringing proof that Lena had returned—but Daniel intended to turn that proof into the first trap of the night.
