Then let me drive you home. I can take the bus. I know. His smile remained gentle. But you don’t have to tonight. After a moment of hesitation, Hannah accepted. The drive felt easy. Comfortable. Marcus knew how to listen. He asked about college, about her dreams, about her grandmother, about her childhood. Yet hidden among those innocent questions were others.
Questions that seemed harmless at the time. How long has your grandmother lived in the apartment? Does your family own any property? Did your grandfather leave anything behind? Most people wouldn’t have noticed the pattern. Hannah certainly didn’t, but someone else would have. Across the city, Lucas Sterling sat in his office reviewing a report.
The report wasn’t related to business. It was related to Marcus. A former colleague from a private security firm had quietly gathered information at Lucas’ request. Nothing illegal, nothing invasive, just enough to ease a growing concern. The deeper Lucas read, the more uncomfortable he became.
