Chapter 19
While Julian was permanently dismantling Camila’s shadow network in New York, Elena was executing her own dangerous game of deception in the hills of Tuscany.
Marcus had traced the internal data ping to the servant’s quarters in the east wing of the estate. The IP address belonged to a smart device assigned to Maria, a newly hired maid who had passed all background checks just three months prior.
Elena sat in her study, her heart pounding steadily. She knew she had to flush Maria out without creating a violent confrontation inside the house, especially with Isabella sleeping nearby.
She pressed the intercom button on her desk. "Maria, could you please come to the main study? I need your assistance with some documents."
Two minutes later, there was a soft knock on the heavy oak door. Maria, a young woman with a seemingly innocent face and nervous eyes, stepped into the room, wringing her hands in her apron.
"You asked for me, Signora Rossi?" Maria asked in flawless Italian.
"Yes, Maria, please come in," Elena said, offering a warm, perfectly practiced smile. She gestured to a stack of sealed envelopes on her desk. "I need these urgent legal documents taken to the local post office in the village immediately. It is highly confidential."
Maria nodded quickly. "Of course, Signora. I will take the estate car right now."
"Thank you," Elena said, standing up. As Maria reached for the envelopes, Elena purposely knocked a small silver framed photo of Julian and Isabella off the desk. It shattered on the marble floor.
"Oh, how clumsy of me," Elena gasped. "Could you clean that up first, Maria?"
As the maid knelt to sweep up the glass, Elena quickly and silently slipped a tiny, state-of-the-art GPS tracking device—one Marcus had left in the safe for emergencies—into the deep pocket of Maria’s dark uniform apron.
"There you go, Signora," Maria said, standing up and taking the envelopes.
May you like
"Thank you, Maria. Please hurry," Elena smiled.
As soon as the heavy doors closed, Elena pulled out her secure tablet. A bright red blinking dot appeared on the digital map, moving slowly toward the estate’s front gates. The bait was successfully taken.
