Page 62 of King

Picking up my phone I message the investigator, who up till this point hasn’t found a damn thing either.

Me: I have a suspicion that someone is watching the security footage in the estate - someone who shouldn’t have access to it. How can I check myself?

Ricardo: I can send you the link to install a program. But if you get caught - you didn’t get it from me. They will kill you.

Me: Send it.

Ricardo: Delete these messages.

Ricardo sends the link. I download the program and then as he requested, I delete the link and his messages.

An unfamiliar program blinks at me, a black screen with a green curser, flickering in a steady rhythm.

I click the dot at the top of the screen, and it asks me if I would like to connect to a network nearby. I click yes.

Within seconds the program is linked to the cameras. My heart races in panic, certain that someone is going to burst through the bedroom door and accuse me of being the hacker all along.

But nothing happens.

My breathing becomes slower and calmer and my heart returns to a normal pace. Still nothing has happened. They don’t know I’m able to watch them.

I click on one of the small camera views. The screen enlarges and I’m watching one of the cleaners move about the kitchen. I can hear the sound of water and plates knocking each other. I have sound.

I click back and click on a camera showing Santino. Instantly guilt floods me. I shouldn’t be spying on him, but I need to know the truth and that means I need to be ruthless in my pursuit of it.

“She needs to go.” Santino says, pacing up and down his room.

“How?” Romeo asks, picking up a book from the top of the dresser, finding it boring and returning it back to where he found it.

“Are you paying attention?” Santino snaps.

“Yes, dammit. I asked you how.” He says, defensive.

“We’ll have to make it look like an accident. If dad founds out we did this - he’ll never forgive us even though we’re doing the right thing.”

“You don’t just want to make her go away - you actually want to kill her.” Romeo says, but he doesn’t sound shocked or upset by this.

My heart is in my throat. I can’t swallow. I don’t even know if I’m breathing.

“Yes.” Santino replies without hesitation.

“And Guido ?”

“I haven’t decided.” He sighs.

“I don’t think we should. None of this shit is his fault. With his mother gone - well - he’ll just have to do as we say.” Romeo shrugs, and I’m seeing a completely new side to him. This is what they talk about. This is how he is in private with Santino. All this time I thought Santino was the only one against me, but I was so very, very wrong.

“When?” Romeo asks.

“I need a bit of time. But I think we should do this as soon as possible. Three nights from now. No matter what we decide - that will be her last night alive.”

“I’m with you.” Romeo says.

Santino nods and my blood runs cold.

I flick away from the screen.

I can’t process what I just heard, and despite it being devastating to me - it isn’t the reason I wanted to app.

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