Chapter 2 - THE HOUSE BEHIND THE GATES
Emily expected a mansion.
She didn't expect a fortress.
The SUV traveled north through Chicago until the city lights gradually disappeared behind tall trees and private estates.
When the gates appeared, Emily stared.
Two security guards stepped forward.
The gate opened without the driver slowing down.
Beyond it stood an enormous stone house surrounded by carefully maintained gardens.
Emily swallowed.
"You live here?"
Mrs. Kang laughed softly.
"Unfortunately."
Emily smiled.
Daniel looked at his mother in the rearview mirror.
"You say that every day."
"Because you keep buying larger houses."
"This one belonged to Dad."
The smile disappeared from Mrs. Kang's face.
Emily noticed.
Daniel did too.
He changed the subject.
"Emily, where should we drop you?"
"At my office."
"What's the address?"
She gave it.
Daniel nodded.
Mrs. Kang suddenly touched Emily's arm.
"Come inside for tea."
"I can't."
"Ten minutes."
"Mrs. Kang..."
"Five."
Emily hesitated.
She was already late.
She was probably already in trouble.
But something about the old woman's face made saying no difficult.
"Fine."
They entered the house.
A housekeeper greeted Mrs. Kang with obvious relief.
"Mrs. Kang!"
"I'm all right, Maria."
"Mr. Kang said—"
Daniel interrupted.
"She needs ice for her cheek."
Maria immediately hurried away.
Emily stood awkwardly in the enormous foyer.
She felt like she had walked into another universe.
Everything was polished marble, dark wood, and expensive art.
But the house didn't feel warm.
It felt guarded.
Almost lonely.
Mrs. Kang noticed Emily looking around.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"You don't like it."
Emily smiled.
"It's beautiful."
"That wasn't my question."
Emily laughed.
"I suppose it feels...quiet."
Mrs. Kang looked at her son.
"Too quiet."
Daniel heard her.
He didn't respond.
Tea arrived.
Emily sat across from Mrs. Kang while Daniel stood near the window, taking a phone call.
The contrast was strange.
Mrs. Kang seemed gentle.
Daniel seemed carved from stone.
"Do you have family?" Mrs. Kang asked.
Emily's smile faded slightly.
"My father passed away when I was fourteen."
"I'm sorry."
"My mother died three years ago."
Mrs. Kang reached across the table.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart."
Emily nodded.
"It's okay."
"It isn't."
Emily looked at her.
Mrs. Kang squeezed her hand.
"People say that when they don't know what else to say."
Emily smiled faintly.
"You understand people."
"At my age, I've had time to practice."
Across the room, Daniel ended his call.
He walked over.
"Your office."
Emily stood.
"Right."
Mrs. Kang looked disappointed.
"Come again."
"I don't think—"
"You will."
Emily laughed.
Daniel opened the door.
"I'll have the driver take you."
"I can take the train."
"It's dark."
"I've taken the train at night for years."
Daniel studied her.
Then he said,
"Fine."
Emily stepped outside.
Before she entered the SUV, Mrs. Kang called after her.
"Emily!"
She turned.
The old woman's expression had changed.
There was fear in her eyes.
"If anyone contacts you about what happened today, call me."
Emily frowned.
"Why would anyone contact me?"
Mrs. Kang looked toward Daniel.
He had gone still.
Then she said quietly,
"Because you were there."
Emily didn't understand.
But she remembered those words.
The next morning, she learned why.
At 8:07 a.m., Emily walked into her office.
Her supervisor, Richard Bell, was waiting.
He didn't look angry.
He looked nervous.
"Emily."
She stopped.
"Yes?"
"Come with me."
She followed him into his office.
He closed the door.
Then he placed a folder on the desk.
"What's this?"
"Your employment file."
Emily frowned.
"Why?"
Richard sat down.
"I received a call this morning."
"From whom?"
He hesitated.
"A client."
"What client?"
"Bellmont & Rowe."
Emily's stomach tightened.
"What about them?"
"They asked whether you work here."
"Yes."
"They also asked whether you handled financial accounts connected to one of their major investors."
Emily stared.
"I don't."
Richard looked at her.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course."
"Then why was your name on a confidential transaction?"
Emily felt cold.
"What transaction?"
Richard opened the folder.
There were copies of financial records.
Her employee ID number appeared on several pages.
But Emily had never seen them.
"I didn't create these."
Richard nodded.
"That's what I thought."
"Then someone forged my credentials."
"Apparently."
Emily looked up.
"Why would someone do that?"
Richard didn't answer.
His phone rang.
He glanced at the screen.
His face changed.
"Don't say anything."
"What?"
"Don't talk to anyone about this."
"Richard—"
He stood.
"Someone is trying to make you responsible for something you didn't do."
Emily's heart pounded.
"What?"
He lowered his voice.
"And I think yesterday wasn't an accident."
Before Emily could respond, his office door opened.
A man Emily had never seen before stood outside.
Black suit.
Cold eyes.
He held an envelope.
"Emily Carter?"
She froze.
"Yes."
The man handed her the envelope.
Then he walked away.
Emily opened it.
Inside was one photograph.
Mrs. Kang.
Standing outside Bellmont & Rowe.
Taken before Emily ever arrived.
May you like
On the back, someone had written six words.
You should have kept walking.
