Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 92071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92071 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Just then my phone began to ring. It was the detective in charge of my father’s investigation. I was glad to hear from someone who seemed to be in some sort of control because I most definitely was not.
“Miss Leone?”
“Yeah.” I was gripping the phone too hard.
“I’m just calling to let you know that you will be subpoenaed as a witness. You may want to hire your own legal counsel to guide you through the process. Also, if there’s anything incriminating to either party that is different, or in addition to what you’ve told us so far, then please let us know immediately. Perhaps since the incident, you have remembered some details that might have slipped your mind initially. Any possible identification marks on the assailant …?”
He remained silent, waiting for me until I responded.
“I haven’t thought much about it,” I replied.
“Alright. You’ve asked for some time to consider being in the witness protection program, but always remember you can willingly refuse based on your own personal preference perspective of risk.” He paused for a few seconds, then continued. “If you have any further issues or feel unsafe, please don't hesitate to contact us. Stay alert and be guarded at all times. Contact us if anything seems amiss.”
“Sure,” I replied, but as I stared out of the window, I realized I had one more question for him.
“Can I go back to work?” I asked.
“You can,” he replied. “But we strongly advise against this for the time being.”
“Until when?”
“My personal suggestion will be after this trial has been concluded.”
“And when will that be?” I asked.
“I don’t have the answer to that yet,” he said.
Chapter 8
Dante
“She what?”
“She returned to work this morning, Boss. She’s heading there right now.”
I couldn’t believe it.
I was on my way to the office, but I knew if I wasn’t able to talk some sense into her the rest of my day would be rendered useless.
I ended the call and instructed my driver to change my route immediately. In less than half an hour I’d arrived at her literary agency. As I stepped out of the car, I noted there was no reasonable police security in place. Thank God, my men had their eyes on the building and on her. I’d also planted one of my men as a security guard for the building through their supplier company, but having only one man to guard her did not put me at ease at all.
He gave me a discreet nod as I entered the building.
I took the elevator and got off at Zola’s floor. I was the last person any of her colleagues could have been expected to recognize, but given that my photos had been broadcasted over all the TV channels yesterday, I was immediately identified.
“Mr. Moretti?” one of the ladies blurted out with widened eyes. “Um, this is such a surprise. How can we help you?”
“I’m here to see Zola Leone,” I said and her eyes seemed to widen even further.
“Um sure, certainly, I’ll get her for you.”
The only issue ahead of me was getting Zola to listen to me. It wasn’t going to be a small feat but I had to try until I got through to her. In memory of her father.
While I waited I called my secretary and asked her to shift all my meetings for the next couple of hours. Fifteen minutes passed but Zola didn’t show up. I wasn’t ready to spend any more time waiting. There were other ways to reach her. I got to my feet and was about to leave when the CEO of the agency appeared out of nowhere and hurried over.
I recognized her from the brief search I had ordered of the company.
“Mr. Moretti.” She approached with a smile, her curly dark hair bouncing all around her.
I accepted her handshake, then she ushered me into her office.
“What an honor it is to have you here,” she gushed, leading me to the seat in front of her desk.
I remained patient and politely listened to what she had to say.
Her cheeks were flushed and she was wringing her hands nervously. “I just wanted to extend my sincerest apologies for what is happening to you. The media sure has a way of painting everything and everyone in a negative light. I didn’t know you were personally connected to Miss Leone, although um … as we have learned her father was your lawyer.”
“I don’t have a personal connection to her,” I replied. “I only had one with her father. I came here today to speak to her about some urgent issues, but since I haven’t been able to see her, I’ll find another way to contact her.”
She studied me, the smile on her face faltering slightly before she leaned forward and I knew there was an uncomfortable question she wanted to ask.