Chapter 22: Behind the Evidence

The police station smelled like old paper and cold coffee — nothing like the sleek, controlled world Lena was used to. She sat beside Alexander in a cramped waiting area, her fingers twisting in her lap while officers moved around them with quiet urgency.

Alexander hadn’t let go of her hand since they arrived.

“Detective Hale will see you now,” an officer finally said.

They followed him into a small interview room. Fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, and a camera blinked in the corner. A woman with sharp eyes and a calm expression sat behind the table.

“I’m Detective Mira Hale,” she said. “Thank you for coming so quickly. Mr. Knight, Miss Carter — please sit.”

Lena sank into her chair, her nerves raw. Alexander sat next to her, posture straight, jaw clenched.

Detective Hale folded her hands. “We reviewed the photos and the threatening notes you brought. This isn’t a prank. Whoever did this wanted to scare you.”

Lena’s voice trembled. “Do you know who?”

“We’re working on it,” the detective replied. “But I do have surveillance footage from your office floor.”

Lena’s eyes widened. “You do?”

“Yes,” Hale said. “Your building has dozens of cameras. And your floor’s feed showed something… interesting.”

She tapped a remote. The small TV mounted on the wall flickered to life.

The footage displayed the Finance floor hallway. Empty… then a figure walked in.

Lena leaned forward.

A hoodie. Black jeans. Gloves. Mask.

The person went straight to her desk.

Alexander’s jaw tightened. “They knew exactly where to go.”

Hale nodded. “It wasn’t random.”

Lena watched in horror as the masked figure rifled through her drawers, smashed her mug, and placed the black envelope neatly on her desk.

Her hands shook. “Why me? Why… why do this to me?”

Hale paused. “Miss Carter… look at the timestamp.”

Lena looked.

Her blood turned to ice.

10:38 AM
Yesterday.

She had been in the Board meeting.

“They chose a moment when you couldn’t walk in on them,” Hale said. “This was planned.”

Alexander leaned forward. “Can you identify the person?”

Hale sighed. “The mask makes it difficult. But…”

She pressed another button.

The camera zoomed in slightly — shaky, pixelated — but enough.

A small detail stood out.

On the masked figure’s wrist was a silver bracelet.

Lena blinked. “I’ve seen that before.”

Alexander’s eyes narrowed. “So have I.”

Hale took notes. “It looks… feminine.”

Lena’s heart dropped. “Do you think it’s someone I work with?”

“We’re not ruling anything out.”

Before Lena could respond, there was a soft knock. An officer poked his head in.

“Detective? You might want to see this.”

Hale excused herself and stepped outside.

Lena exhaled shakily. “Alexander… this is too much. What if this doesn’t stop?”

“It will stop,” he said firmly. “I’ll make sure of it.”

She met his eyes — and despite the fear twisting in her stomach, a strange certainty filled her.

He wasn’t letting her go.

Not now.

Not ever.

The door swung open and Hale returned, her expression tight.

“We have a problem,” she said.

“What kind?” Alexander demanded.

Hale placed a small evidence bag on the table.

Inside was a folded paper.

“We found this… in the lobby trash can outside the building.” She paused. “It has your name on it, Miss Carter.”

Lena’s heart stuttered.

She picked up the bag with trembling fingers.

The note read:

“You went to the police.

Bad move.”

Lena’s body iced over. “H-how… how did they know?”

Hale’s eyes darkened. “That’s exactly what worries me.”

Alexander stood, fury radiating off him. “They followed us.”

Hale nodded grimly. “This person is watching you closely. Too closely.”

Lena pressed a hand to her mouth. “They’re stalking me.”

The detective leaned forward. “Miss Carter, is there anyone at your workplace who holds a grudge? Someone jealous? Someone who might try to intimidate you?”

Lena thought instantly of Victoria.

Then Dylan.

Then the silent stares on the 12th floor.

“I… I don’t know,” she whispered.

Alexander placed a hand on her back. “We need protection. For her.”

Hale nodded. “I’ll request increased building security. And until we identify the perpetrator, I want you both to be vigilant.”

Lena swallowed. “What do we do now?”

Alexander tightened his grip on her hand.

“We go back,” he said. “And we don’t let them win.”

But as they left the station, Lena felt eyes on her — even in the parking lot.

She turned slowly.

A car sat across the street.

Dark, windows tinted.

Watching.

And as they drove away, the car pulled out behind them.

Following.