THE WEIGHT OF HIS CROWN

Chapter Three: The Woman in Grey

Daniel did not move.

The note lay on his desk, its words burning into his mind.

"If you continue this search, the next funeral will be yours."

The office was silent except for the sound of rain tapping against the windows. Whoever had slipped the note under the door was gone. Daniel rushed into the hallway, but the reception area was empty. The security guard insisted that no one had entered or left the building in the last ten minutes.

Something wasn't right.

Returning to his office, Daniel picked up his father's wristwatch. The leather strap was worn, and the glass had a small crack near the edge. He remembered watching his father check the time with that same watch every Sunday before church.

There was something unusual about it.

As he turned it over in his hands, he noticed that one of the screws on the back looked newer than the others. Curious, he searched his desk drawer for a tiny screwdriver. Within minutes, he carefully removed the back cover.

Instead of gears alone, there was a folded piece of paper hidden inside.

His pulse quickened.

He unfolded it carefully.

Written in tiny handwriting were six words:

"Meet her. Eagle Square Café. Friday. Noon."

No name.

No explanation.

Just an instruction.

Daniel checked the calendar on his desk.

Friday was tomorrow.

---

The next day arrived with bright sunshine, a sharp contrast to the stormy night before.

Daniel drove to Eagle Square Café thirty minutes early. It was a quiet place where business people often held meetings. He chose a table near the window, keeping an eye on everyone who entered.

At exactly twelve o'clock, the woman in the grey jacket walked in.

She looked different in daylight. She was probably in her late twenties, with calm eyes that missed nothing. She carried a brown handbag and walked confidently toward him.

"You came," she said.

"You expected I wouldn't?"

She smiled slightly.

"I expected you would bring the police."

"I don't even know your name."

She sat down before answering.

"My name is Zara Williams."

Daniel studied her face.

"You were at my father's funeral."

"Yes."

"You left the photograph."

"Yes."

"And the watch?"

She shook her head.

"No. Someone else did."

Daniel leaned forward.

"Then tell me what is happening."

Zara glanced around the café before lowering her voice.

"Your father was investigating financial crimes before he disappeared."

Daniel frowned.

"Everyone said he stole company money."

"They wanted everyone to believe that."

"You have proof?"

"Not yet."

"Then why should I trust you?"

Instead of answering, Zara reached into her handbag and placed an old newspaper on the table.

The headline read:

BUSINESS PARTNER DIES IN CAR ACCIDENT.

Daniel recognised the face immediately.

One of the three men from the old photograph.

"He didn't die in an accident," Zara said quietly.

"He was murdered."

Daniel stared at her.

"Murdered?"

She nodded.

"He discovered the same secret your father discovered."

A waiter approached their table, forcing both of them to stop talking. After serving their drinks, he walked away.

Daniel took a slow sip of coffee.

"What secret?"

Zara hesitated.

"I'll tell you, but once you know, there's no turning back."

"I'm already being threatened."

"This is much bigger than threats."

She pulled out a small flash drive and slid it across the table.

"Everything I have is on this."

Daniel reached for it.

Suddenly, Zara grabbed his wrist.

"Don't."

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"Look behind you."

Without turning completely, Daniel glanced toward the café entrance.

A tall man wearing dark sunglasses had just walked in.

He wasn't ordering food.

He wasn't looking for a seat.

His eyes were fixed on Daniel.

"Do you know him?" Daniel asked.

"No," Zara replied, "but I've seen him before."

"Where?"

"The night someone broke into my apartment."

The man slowly began walking toward their table.

Daniel's heart pounded.

He slipped the flash drive into his jacket pocket.

The stranger stopped a few steps away and smiled.

"Mr. Adeyemi," he said politely.

"My employer would like to have a word with you."

Daniel stood.

"And if I refuse?"

The man's smile disappeared.

"I'm afraid refusing isn't one of your options."

Outside the café, a black SUV pulled up to the entrance.

Its rear door opened.

Someone inside was waiting.

Daniel looked at Zara.

She gave a barely noticeable shake of her head.

Whatever waited inside that vehicle was not an invitation.

It was a trap.