“The first step is to identify them. Do you have any idea what they were looking for?”
“No.” I look around the apartment, which has clearly been ransacked. Computer printouts are scattered around the apartment, the couch is ripped wide open, and the mail is opened and tossed all over the kitchen. I notice Lia’s MacBook is missing.
“Do either one of you use illegal drugs?” the detective asks.
“What? No. We don’t use drugs,” I mutter, shaking my head. “Where is Lia’s computer?” I ask him.
“Anything missing was likely stolen.” His tone is stern and his strong jaw sets squarely toward me. His deep-set, bright blue eyes focus on mine. “Ma’am, have you entered into any new relationships, business or personal, recently? Say, within the last month or so.”
“I don’t see how that’s anyone’s concern…” My words sound weak as I say them. Of course I have.
“According to the statements made by Miss Marzella, the intruders were looking for a contract of some kind. Something that would affect whoever they’re working for. Something they stand to profit from, or something that would damage them financially. Insider information, trade secrets, whistleblowing. That is the typical scenario we see.”
“I don’t know.” Confusion clouds my mind. I have no idea what is going on anymore, or how things could have come to this. I just want my simple life back, before stocks and executives and thugs in tailored suits.
I have to call Kalin. I can’t say anything. I don’t know what is going on or what to say.
“I have a new job. I mean, people have new things happen all the time. Can I have some time to gather my thoughts and get back to you?”
The detective hands me his card. “Of course, ma’am. We’ll want to follow up soon.” He heads for the door, and his assistant, a slender, shorter man of about five feet six, trails behind him with a tablet computer.
“I’ve got most of the missing items here. I think we’re done here,” the assistant tells the stockier detective.
“Miss Ried, we will be in touch,” says Detective O’Donnell.
I knit my eyebrows and look around the ransacked apartment. “Do you have any idea who did this?”
“No, ma’am. They did not leave much evidence. Probably professionals.”
“Professional what?”
“That’s what we’re going to find out.”
The detectives shut the front door and stand outside, talking to the police. My heart is pounding and I grab my phone to call Kalin.
Chapter Ten
I press Kalin’s number on the phone, and he answers right away. “Annabelle. Hi. I’m glad you called. We need to talk.”
“Kalin, do you have any idea what is going on right now? Have you gotten out of your mansion long enough to see what is happening?”
“Annabelle, calm down. Tell me what’s going on.”
“Two thugs beat up Lia.” My eyes moisten and my lips quiver while I choke back a sob. “They hurt Lia, Kalin. Who would do that? What kind of monsters would mess with her?”
“Jesus Christ, Annabelle, I’m so sorry.”
“Sorry doesn’t cut it. I want to know what the fuck’s going on. I want to know if this has anything to do with you…with us.”
“I’m afraid it does. My security notified me that my house in Southampton was broken into. They were looking through the house for papers. The place wasn’t even robbed. Annabelle¸ I think we were followed when we came here.”
“Followed? By whom?”
“Probably some hired thugs from the company. Is Lia okay?”
“She had a few cuts on her face and arm, but other than that she looks okay. The paramedics took her to the hospital to check for any internal injuries, but they think she’s fine.”
“Thank God.”
“She doesn’t have insurance, Kalin. We could get a bill for thousands of dollars.”
“Don’t worry about the bill. Just send it to me. Look, I don’t want to talk about this on the phone. I’m coming to get you.”
“Now?”
“Yes.”
Kalin clicks off and I place the phone on my dresser. Everything in the room is a mess. I walk around the apartment, surveying the damage. There is some furniture broken, including the couch and a few drawers from the desk and kitchen tossed to the floor. What have I gotten myself into? Who are these thugs? My eyes dart to the spot where Lia was sitting and crying. A surge of anger courses through my body and tenses my muscles. I’m angry at the lowlifes for doing this to her, but I am also angry at myself for bringing my best friend into this situation. I know deep down that this has to be related to Kalin’s plans to get his company back. Who else would do this?