Chapter 16 - THE EVIDENCE THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

I went to the police station the next morning.

I carried a folder. Copies of the most important pages from the ledger. Names. Dates. Crimes. Including Elias’s name. Connected to everything.

I laid it on the desk.

“Julian had a boss,” I told the detective in charge of the case. “Elias. Leo’s older brother. He is the one pulling the strings. He is the one who sent Julian. And he is the one watching me now.”

The detective examined the pages. He looked up, serious.

“We had no idea this man existed,” he said. “Julian never mentioned him. Vanessa never mentioned him.”

“Because they were terrified of him,” I said. “Elias does not leave witnesses. He does not leave loose ends. And he will not stop until he gets what he wants.”

“We will find him,” the detective said. “We will put out an alert. Increase patrols near your home. Watch the school.”

“Thank you,” I said. “But be careful. He is smarter than Julian. And far more dangerous.”

That afternoon, the police released Elias’s name and photo. They warned the public. They watched the roads.

But Elias did not run.

Instead, I received a letter. Handwritten. Delivered to my door. No stamp.

*Claire,*

*You do not know me. But I know you. I know everything. Julian made a mess. Vanessa broke. They were weak. I am not.*

*Hand over the remaining copies of the ledger. Burn them. And I will leave you and the girl alone. Refuse… and what happened to Leo will happen to you.*

*You have three days.*

I showed the letter to the police. They dusted it for prints. Nothing. Clean. Perfect.

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“He is careful,” the detective said. “And he is desperate. Which means… he will make a mistake.”

“Let him come,” I said. “I will be waiting.”