Chapter 2 - Luca Had Chosen Her
After dinner, Emma carried the empty coffee service toward the kitchen.
She expected the evening to end there.
Instead, Luca spoke.
“Emma.”
She stopped.
“Yes, Mr. Moretti?”
“Come back.”
She turned slowly.
Camille was gone.
Teresa remained near the doorway.
Luca sat alone at the table.
Emma walked back.
“If this is about the coffee, I can explain.”
“It isn't.”
“Then what is it?”
Luca studied her.
“How long have you worked here?”
“Eight months.”
“Has anyone ever asked you to enter my office?”
“No.”
“Has anyone ever asked you about my schedule?”
Emma hesitated.
“Yes.”
His expression sharpened.
“Who?”
“Camille.”
Teresa's eyes narrowed.
“What did she ask?”
Emma thought carefully.
“She asked when you usually ate dinner. Which entrance you used. Whether you worked late.”
Luca leaned back.
“And what did you tell her?”
“That I was a maid, not your calendar.”
Teresa smiled.
Luca almost laughed.
“You didn't tell her anything?”
“No.”
“Why?”
Emma looked confused.
“Because it wasn't my business.”
That answer mattered.
Luca stood.
“There are people in this house who would sell information for money.”
Emma's face became serious.
“I don't want to be one of them.”
“I know.”
He walked closer.
“That's why I need your help.”
Emma stared at him.
“My help?”
“Yes.”
“With what?”
Before Luca could answer, Teresa interrupted.
“Show her the ledger.”
Luca looked at his mother.
Emma frowned.
“I'm not sure I should see anything.”
Teresa smiled.
“That is precisely why you should.”
Luca opened a locked drawer.
Inside was a small black ledger.
Three names had been circled.
One belonged to a business associate.
One belonged to a longtime employee.
The third belonged to Camille.
Emma looked at the page.
Then she noticed something.
The handwriting beside Camille's name wasn't Luca's.
She recognized it.
May you like
She had seen the same handwriting on a note left in the kitchen that morning.
And suddenly, the coffee pot felt much heavier in her hand.
