CLAIMING HER BACK

Point

arranged in front of him, each entry accompanied by an image of her shaking hands with guys whose eyes were darker than the night or laughing in opulent lounges. As he read about the threats she had faced, the silent phone conversations, and the amounts of money she had moved under p

etly filled his sleek black backpack with necessities: breath mints, a concealed dagger, two silk-wrapped handguns, and a data disk that held the profiles of all Pablo Steve's known associates. His phone buzzed with the mysterious messa

s overcome with memories: the warmth of her hand in his, the gentle rustle of Deborah's sketches, and the evenings spent laughing with her at her former studio. He rang the buzzer and shook them off. With

of his footfall, and she straightened so fast that the stool scuffed the wooden floor. Her black eyes widened when she recognized the official seal on the documents, and

was bobbing as she swallowed. Though they did not fall, silent tears welled up at the corners of her eyes. Rather, she continued, "I tried to handle t

ct you." For a time, she closed her eyes as if the recollection itself were painful. He began modestly, promising wealth and a private preview. Then he th

hile candlelight flickered softly on her cheek. "Five years ago?" he inquired. Her lips thinned into a line as she nodded. At start, it was merely a meeting. After the gala f

ke judgment. He said, "And then he asked you for more." She said in a whisper, "He needed a channel for his money," without even looking

call he had disregarded flashed across his thoughts. His voice was so low that only she could hear him demand, "How much did you pay him?" Deborah blinked

He promised, "I'm going to put this right." A mixture of terror and thankfulness swirled in the depths of her eyes as they flicke

assment. I'll track every dime, install cameras, and recruit the best. I'll locate Pablo Steve as well. Deborah's lips trembled as fear and relief

nnected Deborah's business to offshore accounts in Tortuga after sliding a folder across the table. On security footage, masked men were seen following her on dimly lit sidewalk

s." Cold sweat trickled at his temples as he froze on the sidewalk. This time, the threat was clearly visible on his scree

got there, and the fragments glittered on the mat like broken promises. With all his senses alert, he pulled out his revolver an

ars. On her drafting table, he discovered her phone vibrating, with a new, urgent voicemail. He pressed pla

Bill," she exclaimed, her voice shaking. "As soon as I saw your text, I came." He felt a mixture of relief and skepticism. He insisted, "Where

"Tell me everything you know." When Naomi revealed that she had last witnessed Deborah sneaking out to meet someone at a location sent to her phone, her eyes

se plates, and any documentation pertaining to a meeting with Deborah. After hanging up, he turned to face Naomi. "Remain

umulating clouds. He jumped in his SUV and slammed the pedal, making sharp twists through the city streets.

she passes away. The location was eerily near the docks. Bill clutched the steering wheel, his knuckles tu

late into the night, and the way her eyes brightened when he clutched her

23's entryway. The single word "Pab

d as a bullet flew past the win

area, trying to find the gunman. Pablo Through the phone's speaker, Steve's loud voice cra