Chapter 36 The List of Enemies
Chapter 36 The List of Enemies
POV: Royce
I took control the moment Elizabeth identified the woman on the surveillance footage as someone she recognized but couldn’t place. Her hesitation told me she was in shock, so I stepped in.
“Investigator Chen, I need a copy of that footage immediately,” I said, my tone leaving no room for argument. “And I want a full report on every visitor Angela Martinez had in the past six months.”
“Mr. Sterling, this is a federal investigation. I can’t just hand over evidence.”
“Then I’ll subpoena it. Or I’ll have my lawyers bury your investigation in red tape for months.” I pulled out my phone. “Your choice. Cooperate now, or waste time while whoever paid for this attack plans their next move.”
Chen’s jaw tightened, but he nodded. “I’ll send you what I can. But this stays quiet. No media.”
“Agreed.”
\---
Elizabeth’s parents took her home while I stayed behind, making calls. By the time I left the hospital two hours later, I had three private investigation firms on the case, a cybersecurity team tracking the money trail, and a former FBI agent reviewing every scrap of evidence.
I wasn’t taking chances. Not with Elizabeth’s safety. Not with Jessica’s life.
Back at my penthouse, I spread the surveillance footage across multiple screens, studying it frame by frame. The woman visiting Martinez was careful—face partially hidden, gloves on, positioned away from cameras.
But she made mistakes.
In one frame, her watch was visible: a Cartier Panthère worth at least twenty thousand dollars. Her Louboutins were unmistakable. The handbag—partially visible—was a Hermès Birkin.
This wasn’t a random criminal.
This was someone with serious money.
\---
My lead investigator, Patricia Vega, called just before midnight.
“The fifty thousand deposited into Martinez’s account came through seven shell companies in the Cayman Islands,” she said. “Whoever did this knew what they were doing.”
“Can you trace it?”
“Given time, yes. But there’s more. Martinez received a second payment yesterday. Twenty-five thousand.”
My blood ran cold. “A bonus.”
“Or an incentive to finish the job.”
I ended the call and contacted the prison warden immediately. Within an hour, Angela Martinez was in solitary—no visitors, no contact, twenty-four-hour surveillance.
Then I started a list.
Everyone who might want Jessica Wakefield dead.
\---
First: Hendricks’s remaining associates. Jessica’s testimony had destroyed operations, sent men to prison, cost people millions. Revenge was motive enough.
Second: inmates and guards she’d exposed while cooperating with the FBI. Smuggling rings. Corrupt hierarchies. She’d made enemies inside and out.
Third—and the one that made my stomach churn—business rivals of Sterling Corp.
The timing was too perfect. Helen Morrison was escalating her takeover attempt right as Jessica was attacked. If someone wanted leverage over me, hurting Elizabeth’s sister was devastatingly effective.
I pulled up the footage again, studying the woman’s posture. Confident. Entitled. Controlled.
My phone rang.
“Marcus.”
“I heard about Jessica. How’s Elizabeth?”
“Holding on. I need you to dig into Helen Morrison. Bank records, travel, associates—everything.”
“You think she’s behind it?”
“I don’t know. But coincidences like this don’t exist.” I rubbed my eyes. “And I need another favor. I’m putting Elizabeth under full-time protection.”
Marcus exhaled. “She’s going to hate that.”
“I know. But alive and angry beats dead and right.”
\---
After the call, I reviewed security firms and chose Sentinel Protection Services—elite, discreet, lethal when necessary. Their team leader, Jade Chen, a former Secret Service agent, came highly recommended.
By six a.m., everything was in motion. Investigators active. Prison secured. Security team ready.
Now came the hardest part.
Telling Elizabeth.
\---
I found her at her parents’ house, exhausted and hollow-eyed. She hadn’t slept.
“Absolutely not,” she said as soon as I explained the security detail. “I’m not having bodyguards following me.”
“Someone tried to kill your sister.”
“They might not come after me.”
“I can’t take that risk.” I took her hands. “Please.”
“I don’t need protection. I need answers.” She paced. “Bodyguards make me feel helpless.”
“You’re not helpless. You’re practical.”
“That feels like you making decisions for me.”
“I’m asking you to accept them.”
“That’s dictating, Royce.”
The tension snapped tight between us.
“The team starts tomorrow,” I said quietly. “Jade Chen will be discreet.”
“And if I refuse?”
“Then they’ll follow you anyway—but visibly.”
Her jaw dropped. “You’re blackmailing me.”
“I’m keeping you alive.”
\---
My phone rang. Unknown number.
“Royce Sterling.”
“Hello, Royce.” The voice was smooth, amused. “It’s been too long.”
I froze. “Helen Morrison.”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened as I put the call on speaker.
“I hope I’m not interrupting,” Helen purred. “Though I imagine you’re busy, what with poor Jessica’s unfortunate accident.”
“What do you want?”
“Dinner. Tomorrow night. Just us.” I could hear her smile. “We have much to discuss.”
“I’m not selling.”
“Circumstances change,” she said lightly. “People get hurt. Loved ones suffer.”
Elizabeth grabbed my arm.
“Are you threatening me?” I asked.
“I’m offering an opportunity.” Helen paused. “If you refuse, well… hospitals are dangerous places. Mistakes happen.”
Elizabeth gasped.
“Come alone,” Helen whispered. “Or Jessica’s attacker finishes the job.”
The line went dead.
\---
I stared at Elizabeth as my phone buzzed with a text—restaurant name, address, time.
“I’m going,” I said.
“Not alone,” she snapped. “She threatened my sister. This involves me.”
I wanted to argue. To lock her somewhere safe.
But I saw it in her eyes—the same fire I’d fallen for.
“Fine,” I said. “But we do this smart. We plan. And we bring backup.”
She nodded. “Let’s figure out what Helen Morrison really wants—and why s
he’s willing to commit murder to get it.”
I pulled Elizabeth into my arms.
Tomorrow night, we’d face Helen together.
And she’d regret ever threatening the people we loved.