Chapter 6 - THE MAN WHO SAVED THE FOOTAGE
Daniel Ross arrived at the hospital later that morning.
A bruise darkened his jaw where Preston had shoved him.
He carried a small black hard drive inside his coat.
“The hotel’s main surveillance server was wiped at two thirteen this morning,” he said.
Marcus immediately stood.
“Who had access?”
“Henry Whitmore and three senior security administrators.”
“Is the footage gone?”
Daniel placed the hard drive on the table.
“No.”
He had copied the recordings before the police arrived.
He also discovered that the hotel cameras had captured Preston and my mother meeting near the service elevator before the reception.
They spoke for almost six minutes.
There was no audio.
But Preston handed my mother the phone.
Then he pointed toward Sophie’s table.
The footage proved preparation.
It destroyed any claim that the phone had accidentally ended up in the jacket.
Daniel had also saved video from the loading dock.
After Preston was arrested, Henry Whitmore met with my father behind the hotel.
Henry shouted.
My father handed him a folder.
Henry threw it onto the ground.
One page was visible long enough for the camera to capture the heading.
Lakefront Parcel Authorization.
Marcus examined the image.
“That document requires your signature.”
“I never signed it.”
“Then someone forged it.”
My phone vibrated.
A message appeared from an unknown number.
Withdraw your complaint before Sophie loses more than a trust fund.
Attached was a photograph of my apartment building.
The image had been taken that morning.
Daniel saw my expression.
“What happened?”
I showed him the message.
Detective Brooks was called immediately.
She arranged police protection outside Sophie’s room and sent officers to my apartment.
Marcus warned me not to leave the hospital alone.
My family was no longer trying to persuade me.
They were trying to frighten me.
That afternoon, Preston was released on bond.
A judge issued an order prohibiting him from contacting Sophie or me.
Three minutes after his release, another message appeared.
You always needed attention.
Now you have it.
Enjoy what comes next.
I gave the phone to Detective Brooks.
She traced the message to a prepaid device purchased near my father’s office.
As evening approached, Sophie woke from a nightmare.
She asked whether Preston could come into the hospital.
“No,” I promised.
“He can’t reach you here.”
Then the lights in the hallway suddenly went dark.
The emergency lights flashed red.
May you like
A nurse shouted near the elevators.
And someone tried to open Sophie’s locked door.
