Chapter 2: The Message Beneath the Orchids
Mara waited until the kitchen staff disappeared into the pantry, then returned to the foyer.
Her pulse pounded as she carefully pulled back the florist’s foam.
Something black gleamed beneath it.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
Carver stood behind her, his pen clicking sharply.
“There’s something inside the vase,” Mara said.
“The deliveryman wasn’t from the usual florist.”
Sienna entered and stared at the disturbed orchids.
“You ruined a twelve-thousand-dollar arrangement?”
“I saw him photographing the hallway.”
Sienna laughed.
“A housekeeper playing detective.
How embarrassing.”
“I’m trying to protect this home.”
“Your job is to clean it,” Sienna snapped.
“Carver, search her pockets.
Perhaps she was looking for something valuable.”
Mara’s face burned.
“I have never taken anything.”
Carver reached for the vase, but Mara pulled out a tiny black device first.
A green light blinked beneath her thumb.
The room went silent.
“That could be a camera,” Mara whispered.
Sienna’s smile vanished.
“Give it to me.”
Before Mara could answer, the device vibrated.
A message appeared across its small screen:
SHE FOUND IT.
REMOVE HER BEFORE DANTE SEES.
Then the office door opened behind them.
Dante stood there, staring directly at Mara.
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Who planted the device—and why did they want Mara removed before Dante saw it?
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