Page 4 of Fate's Unseen Shadow

“Ella? Is that your real name?”

“Nope.” It was a nickname her grandmother had used a long time ago. No one would recognize it, though.

Damon nodded. “You look like an Ella, so that’s a good choice. And I don’t mind keeping you off the books, but I need to know why.”

“You already know why.”

That caused his lips to pull down. “I do?”

“Sort of.”

He set his hands on his hips. “I don’t understand.”

Ella started to fidget, her mind racing with the next path to take.

“Breathe,” he whispered, his hand covering hers where it was fisted by her side. “I’m sure this is hard to believe, but I promise you’re safe here. You wanted me to trust you. I’m asking you to trust me. Who are you?”

She closed her eyes, forcing herself to do it. “I hope I don’t regret this.” After exhaling, she turned on her heel and strode outside. “I think my driver’s license will answer your questions. It’s in my car.”

“This is getting more and more interesting,” he said as he followed her toward her car. “I’m starting to think those diamonds in your ears and that Rolex on your wrist are real if that’s a BMW i7.”

“They are and it is.” She unlocked her car and pulled out her purse as Damon finished his slow circle around her car.

Ella held out her driver’s license, but she snatched it back to her chest as he reached for it. “Do I have the job if I show you this?”

He didn’t agree right away, his eyes assessing hers.

She returned the consideration, hoping this man was as trustworthy as he seemed. Her stepmother was the one who’dmentioned his group in passing after they’d found an eight-year-old little girl a few months ago. People like that didn’t turn innocent women into the police, right?

Damon dipped his chin, coming a few inches closer. “You can trust me, Ella.”

“And you can trust me. I want the job.”

“If you’re worried about eating, I’ll make sure you have food.”

She squared her shoulders toward him. “I can earn it if you give me a job.” She needed his help to find Teddy’s killer, not pay her way for an indefinite amount of time.

“I respect that. You’re hired.” He held out his hand. “Driver’s license.”

Holding her breath, she passed it to him.

“Elizabeth Margaret Cassin,” he announced. He flicked his focus back to her, eyes wide. “Fuck me, you’re alive.”

3

“Authorities believe Elizabeth Cassin is still in the United States. Anyone with any information on her whereabouts is asked to call 9-1-1. The FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for tips that lead to her capture. She’s wanted as a suspicious person in the death of millionaire Theodore Williams, who was murdered at his home exactly one month ago today. It is unclear if she’s armed, but should be considered dangerous.”

Damon sat back, waiting for his two colleagues to react. He’d brought them to an empty apartment in one of his complexes, hoping to make it somewhere other than Cager to meet with Elizabeth.

Ella.

He needed to get that straight. Because the woman who’d shown up at Cager hungry, wanting work, wasn’t the same woman sitting on the television screen. He’d sent her away with a twenty and directions to get food and meet him at this location at five today.

Slater Walsh remained without emotion, staring at the TV. “Why are we here? You know I hate mysteries.” He glanced athis watch. “I have a job in an hour. It’ll take thirty minutes to get there.”

Ryker Cruz opened his laptop. “I’ve followed that news story. So far, the police haven’t named any other suspects.”

“I called you here because the first time Elizabeth Cassin contacted me was a couple of months ago. She asked for help finding a stalker. The police didn’t believe her.”

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