complicated feelings

CHAPTER 7: M

Cafe Nero near Via Veneto was 10 minutes from the Hourton Rome office.

Isla sat at the back table. Hoodie up. Sunglasses on. She looked like she was hiding.

Because she was.

3:00PM. No one.

3:05PM. Still no one.

3:10PM.

A woman walked in.

Late 40s. Blonde. Sharp blazer. She looked around, then spotted Isla. She sat down without asking.

"Isla Allen?"

"Who are you?"

"Name's Maren," the woman said. "I worked with your mother. At The Hourton. 2005 to 2007. I knew Marie. And I knew Richard Hourton too."

Isla took off her sunglasses. "You knew my mom?"

Maren ordered espresso. Isla didn't.

"Why did you message me?" Isla asked.

"Because I saw the news. 'Secret daughter. Hourton scandal.' And I know what your mother would want."

She pulled out a USB. "Before they bury it."

Isla stared at the USB. "What's on it?"

"Everything," Maren said. "Emails. Photos. A recording. From 2006. The night she told him. Don't trust anyone in that house. Especially not Richard."

Isla reached for it. Maren pulled it back.

"First, promise me something. No matter what you find, you don't become like them. Don't use it for revenge. Use it for truth."

"I promise."

Maren pushed the USB across the table.

"Maren said. 'And you're the biggest threat to all of them.'"

"Why are you giving me this now?"

Maren said softly. "Because Marie saved my job once. And because I've watched Richard Hourton ruin 3 women in my career. I'm not watching a fourth."

Then she was gone.

Isla sat there for 5 minutes, heart pounding. The USB in her pocket felt like a bomb.

She went back to the estate. The house was quiet. Too quiet.

Lorenzo was waiting in the hall when she came in. "Where were you?" he asked. Not angry. Concerned.

"Out. I needed air."

"By yourself? After the rumors?" Lorenzo frowned. "That's not smart. I can take care of myself, I said. But I still worry."

He walked away before she could answer.

Isla went to her room. Locked the door.

The USB had one folder: MARIE

Inside: 4 files.

1. Email_RH_2006.pdf

2. Gala_Photos.zip

3. Recording_122006.mp3

4. Letter_to_Isla.doc

Isla's hands shook. She opened the last one first.

"My dearest Isla,

If you're reading this, it means you found out. I'm sorry I never told you. I was scared.

Richard Hourton is your father. But he's not a good man.

He offered me money to disappear. I wanted you to have a normal life.

But if you're reading this, normal is over.

Be careful. Be smart. And don't let them make you bitter.

I love you. Always.

- Mom"

Isla had to close the laptop. She was crying.

After 10 minutes she opened the recording.

Male: "Marie."

Female: "Richard, you can't tell anyone. I have a family."

Marie: "I'm not asking for anything. I'm just pregnant."

Richard: "Then get rid of it. I'll pay."

Marie: "No."

Richard: "Then be reasonable-"

Click.

Isla stopped it. She couldn't breathe.

Her mom asked for nothing. And he told her to get rid of her.

A knock on the door.

"Isla? It's me. Lorenzo."

Isla wiped her face. "One second." She pocketed the USB and opened the door.

Lorenzo had two mugs of tea. "You looked upset at dinner," he said. "You didn't come down."

"I'm fine."

He handed her a mug. "What happened?"

Isla almost told him. About Maren. About the USB. But she remembered Maren's words: Don't trust anyone in this house.

"Liar," Lorenzo said softly, reading her face. "Okay. But if you need me..."

"I know," Isla said. "M? She typed."

He left.

She closed the door and sat on the floor.

Her phone buzzed. Unknown.

"Did you get it? -M"

Isla typed back: "Yes. Thank you."

Reply: "Be careful. He's watching you. -M"

Isla looked out the window. Across the lawn, the light in Lorenzo's office was on. Next to it, Richard's study. Dark. Watching.

Who was watching who?

She plugged the USB back in. Opened Email_RH_2006.pdf

First line:

To: Legal@Hourton.com

Subject: The Journalist Problem

From: R.Hourton

Delete all records of Marie Allen. Pay her 50k. If she refuses, make her life difficult.

Date: December 24, 2006.

Christmas Eve.

Isla closed the laptop.

She wasn't leaving.

She was going to burn them down. Starting with Richard Hourton.

And she was going to start tomorrow.