THE SECRET SHE WITNESSED

CHAPTER ELEVEN

THE NAME ON THE LIST

Amelia stopped in the corridor.

Marcus Hale was only a few steps away.

She had never spoken to him before, but she knew his name.

Executive Director.

More importantly, she knew Daniel had trusted him.

The thought made her uneasy.

Marcus turned slightly and noticed her.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Then he smiled.

"Mrs. Carter."

Amelia forced herself to remain calm.

"Mr. Hale."

"I've heard a lot about you."

"I imagine you have."

His smile faded slightly.

"You're looking for answers."

"Yes."

"About Daniel?"

"Yes."

Marcus glanced toward the workshop.

"The children are here. This isn't the right place."

"Then tell me where we can talk."

He hesitated.

"There's a small lounge upstairs."

Amelia followed him.

She kept her phone in her hand.

She didn't know whether Marcus could be trusted, but she wasn't going to allow herself to be isolated without someone knowing where she was.

When they entered the lounge, Marcus left the door open.

Amelia appreciated that.

"Why did Daniel trust you?" she asked.

Marcus looked at her.

"Because I was his friend."

"How long?"

"Almost ten years."

"Then why didn't you tell me about him?"

Marcus looked uncomfortable.

"Daniel didn't want you involved."

Amelia frowned.

"Why?"

"Because he knew the people he was investigating were powerful."

"Who were they?"

Marcus sighed.

"I don't know."

"That's not true."

"I know some things."

"Then tell me."

Marcus sat down.

"Daniel believed someone was using Vale Arts Group to move valuable information between wealthy clients."

"Information?"

"Yes."

"About what?"

"Business deals. Private investments. Personal secrets."

Amelia stared at him.

"Why would someone kill him over that?"

Marcus looked toward the window.

"Because secrets can be worth more than money."

Amelia thought about the hidden note.

"Did Daniel have evidence?"

"Yes."

"Where is it?"

Marcus looked at her.

"We never found it."

"Never?"

"He told me he had hidden it somewhere."

"Where?"

"He wouldn't tell me."

Amelia sat opposite him.

"What happened the night he died?"

Marcus became silent.

"Please," Amelia said. "I deserve to know."

Marcus finally answered.

"Daniel called me that afternoon."

"What did he say?"

"He told me someone had discovered what he was doing."

"Who?"

"He didn't know."

"Did he sound afraid?"

"Yes."

Amelia lowered her eyes.

She had never heard Daniel described that way.

"He told me to protect something."

"What?"

"A painting."

Amelia's heart stopped.

She remembered the painting in her bag.

"Which painting?"

Marcus described it.

Amelia knew immediately.

Daniel had given it to her.

Marcus noticed her expression.

"You have it."

It wasn't a question.

Amelia remained silent.

Marcus leaned forward.

"Don't show it to anyone."

"Why?"

"Because whoever is searching for it still believes it contains the evidence."

Amelia's heart began pounding.

"What evidence?"

"I don't know."

"But Daniel knew."

"Yes."

"Did Adrian know?"

Marcus hesitated.

"No."

The answer surprised her.

"You seem certain."

"Daniel didn't trust Adrian with it."

"Why?"

"Because Adrian was too close to the people Daniel was investigating."

Amelia stared.

"Was Adrian involved?"

Marcus shook his head.

"Not willingly."

"What does that mean?"

Before Marcus could answer, the door opened.

Adrian stood there.

His expression was serious.

"Amelia."

She stood.

"What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you."

Marcus looked at him.

"We were talking."

"I can see that."

Adrian's eyes moved between them.

Then he looked at Marcus.

"You should have told me."

Marcus stood.

"I was going to."

Adrian's voice became colder.

"About Daniel?"

"Yes."

"Then why didn't you?"

Marcus didn't answer.

Amelia stepped between them.

"Stop."

Both men looked at her.

"I don't want another argument. I want the truth."

Adrian looked at her.

"You deserve it."

"Then tell me."

He hesitated.

"Not here."

Amelia frowned.

"Why not?"

"Because this building isn't as private as you think."

Marcus nodded.

"He's right."

Amelia looked at both men.

"Then where?"

Adrian answered.

"My mother's old studio."

---

The three of them left the room.

But Amelia noticed something.

Adrian stayed beside her.

Not behind her.

Not ahead of her.

Beside her.

She wasn't sure why that small gesture affected her.

Perhaps because it felt protective rather than controlling.

Perhaps because she was beginning to understand the man beneath the CEO.

Or perhaps because she was becoming emotionally attached to him.

That possibility frightened her.

---

The workshop continued downstairs.

Nadia and Maggie were busy painting.

Nadia looked toward the entrance.

"Where's Mum?"

Maggie shrugged.

"She went somewhere with the adults."

Nadia smiled.

"She'll be back."

The instructor placed a new canvas in front of them.

"Today, I want you to paint something that represents hope."

Nadia looked at her blank canvas.

Then she began.

She painted a woman standing beside a child.

Behind them was a dark road.

Ahead was a bright sunrise.

Maggie looked at it.

"That's beautiful."

Nadia smiled.

"It's my mum and me."

---

At the same time, Amelia entered Elena Vale's old studio.

She stopped in the doorway.

Paintings covered almost every wall.

Adrian watched her expression.

"My mother spent most of her life here."

Amelia walked slowly around the room.

"This is beautiful."

"She believed every artist needed a place where nobody could tell them what to create."

Amelia smiled.

"I would have liked her."

Adrian looked at her.

"I think she would have liked you."

Amelia turned.

Their eyes met.

For a moment, the mystery surrounding them seemed to disappear.

There was only silence.

Then Marcus cleared his throat.

"We should talk."

Adrian looked away.

"Yes."

Marcus placed a folder on the table.

"This is everything Daniel gave me."

Amelia opened it.

There were documents, photographs, and notes.

One photograph caught her attention.

Daniel was standing beside a much younger Adrian.

Amelia looked at Adrian.

"When was this?"

"About eight years ago."

"What were you doing together?"

Adrian answered quietly.

"Daniel was helping me investigate a problem within the company."

Amelia looked confused.

"Then why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I didn't know whether I could trust anyone."

She looked at him.

"Even me?"

Adrian shook his head.

"I didn't know you yet."

The honesty in his voice touched her.

Marcus opened another file.

"There is something else."

"What?"

"Daniel discovered a private account connected to the company."

Adrian frowned.

"What account?"

"I don't know who controls it."

Marcus pointed to a document.

"But I know where the records were stored."

Amelia looked at the address.

Her heart skipped.

It was the address of an old art warehouse.

"The evidence is there?"

"Possibly."

Adrian immediately shook his head.

"We're not going there."

Amelia looked at him.

"Why?"

"Because if someone has been watching us, they'll expect us to search there."

Marcus nodded.

"He's right."

Amelia sighed.

"Then what do we do?"

Adrian looked at her.

"We wait."

"I've waited for two years."

"I know."

His voice softened.

"But I don't want you risking yourself."

Amelia stared at him.

"Why do you care so much?"

Adrian didn't answer immediately.

Marcus looked away, giving them privacy.

Finally Adrian said:

"Because I do."

Amelia's heart skipped.

"Why?"

Adrian stepped closer.

"Because somewhere along the way, you stopped being just Daniel's widow."

She held his gaze.

"What am I now?"

Adrian looked at her for several seconds.

"Someone I can't imagine losing."

Amelia's breath caught.

Neither of them spoke.

Then Marcus's phone rang.

He answered.

His expression changed.

"What?"

He listened.

Then looked at Adrian.

"The warehouse has been opened."

Adrian's face became serious.

"By whom?"

"We don't know."

Marcus lowered the phone.

"But someone left something there."

"What?"

Marcus looked at Amelia.

"Daniel's missing file."

Amelia's heart raced.

"Then we finally have our answer."

Adrian shook his head.

"No."

"Why?"

"Because if someone wanted us to find it, then this isn't an answer."

He looked at Amelia.

"It's a trap."

Her phone suddenly vibrated.

She looked down.

A message appeared.

YOU'RE GETTING CLOSER.

Then another.

BUT YOU STILL DON'T KNOW WHO ADRIAN REALLY IS.

Amelia slowly raised her eyes toward him.

For the first time, she wondered whether the biggest secret wasn't about Daniel at all.

Perhaps it was about the man standing in front of her.