Chapter Thirty One

The sight of the message on the phone caused Emily to question her previous knowledge regarding Damian. The screen displayed the question, "ASK DAMIAN WHY HIS FATHER HAD ONE TOO?" She stared intensely at the text while Sophia observed the image of Ryan bound to a chair. Sophia asked a question, "Emily, what does the message mean?" & Emily moved the phone so she could see it. "It says I should ask Damian why his father had the same pendant" Emily stated. Sophia inspected the image once more. "You said your father had one too" Sophia said. "Yes" Emily stated. Sophia was quiet for a duration before she spoke, "And now they're telling me Damian's father had one" "It means that the three families may have been linked long before you knew anything about it" Sophia said.

The phone vibrated with an incoming call from Damian. "Damian, there is something I have to ask you" Emily spoke immediately upon answering. "I was just about to call you" Damian said. "Is Sophia still with you?" "Yes" Emily responded. "We've already left the café" "Good" Damian said. "Stay with her" "Why?" Emily stated while she looked at Sophia. "Because I believe whoever sent those messages knows where you are," Damian said.

The muscles in the abdomen of Emily became tense. "Give me all the information I need," Emily responded. "Your father wore a silver pendant, did he not?" "Yes" Damian said after he paused for a long time. The rate of the heartbeat of Emily increased. "Why?" Damian said, "My father didn't wear it very often" "It belonged to someone who gave it to him years before he died.

"Who?" Emily asked. "I don't know," Damian stated. "But, I discovered documents that revealed he was investigating something linked to Carter Holdings at that time"

The woman looked toward Sophia.

Emily said "My parents were also investigating Carter Holdings"

"I know" Damian responded.

The skin on the forehead of Emily contracted into folds.

"Were you aware of the connection between our fathers' investigations?"

Damian said "I had always suspected" "I didn't have much proof"

"Why didn't you tell me?" Emily asked.

“Because I didn't want to hand you one more reason to end up a target” Damian stated.

Emily directed her gaze downward toward the printed image of Ryan.

“I'm a target already” Emily said. “Someone has Ryan”

The vocal tones of Damian became firm and sharp.

“I know”

“They sent me a picture of him tied to a chair” Emily said. “They want me to stop searching”

“And you won't” Damian stated.

“No” Emily replied.

In that moment the man and the woman remained silent.

Then Damian said, “Send me the photograph”

Emily transmitted the electronic message.

As a short duration of time passed, the phone processed the data.

“I've seen that man before” Damian said.

The eyelids of Emily opened further to reveal more of her eyes.

"Who is he?" Emily asked.

"I'm not familiar with his name" Damian said. "However, he has shown up around Victor's acquaintances"

Emily increased the pressure of her hand around the mobile device.

"So Victor is aware of Ryan's location?"

"Not always" Damian replied. "However, it indicates that we are headed in the right direction"

Emily moved her head to observe Sophia.

"How about the pendant?" Emily asked.

By the account of Damian, his father investigated the specific individuals who caused the economic failure that resulted in his loss of wealth. " " He developed the conclusion that others planned his downfall before his death occurred.

Emily inhaled sharply and spoke, "My parents passed away soon afterward"

"Yes" was the response from Damian in a low volume.

"Do you believe their deaths are linked?" Emily asked while her body trembled. "I believe there are too many connections to keep ignoring" Damian answered.

The eyes of Emily shut for a short duration.

She felt a desire to rely on the honesty of Damian.

But I possessed a different question at this time.

"Damian, was your father acquainted with my parents?"

"Yes" Damian replied. "How well did he know them?"

"Better than I ever knew"

Emily revealed her eyes again. "Then you must tell me everything" "I will" Damian promised her. "When will you?" "Tonight"

The movements of Emily slowed because of uncertainty.

She felt a strong motivation to meet him.

This feeling was stronger than she was willing to state.

The situation was not related to finding physical comfort from Damian. "Fine" Emily stated. "I'll come to you" Damian suggested. "No" Emily spoke. The purpose was to identify the facts of the event.

Damian stopped speaking.

Emily continued "I don't want you coming here because you think you have to protect me" "I require the facts if we participate in a discussion, rather than a justification"

There was a silence for a short period.

Then Damian said, "You're changing, Emily" "I had to change, for my own good" Emily stated.

And Damian terminated the telephone connection.

Sophia directed her gaze toward her.

"You trust him?" Sophia asked.

Emily looked through the front glass of the vehicle. I do not know, " Emily replied. " but I want to trust him. "Just keep in mind that wanting to trust someone and knowing they can be trusted are two separate things" Sophia said as she moved her head down and up in a slow manner. Emily's phone made a vibrating sound again. The device received one more message from a sender who did not provide a name. She touched the screen to view the content. The sender stated that she is asking questions that are relevant to the situation. Her heart began to beat at a faster rate. A second electronic text then became visible on the screen. The text stated that Damian has not provided information regarding the night when his father died. Emily looked at the display for a long period of time. Sophia moved closer to observe the device. "What does it say?" Sophia asked. Emily spoke the written words in a loud voice. The two women did not speak. Emily's phone made a final vibrating sound. A digital image became visible. The image showed the parents of Emily and the father of Damian. Victor Knight occupied a position behind the group. Emily did not move her eyes from the image. Victor Knight stood in a central position between the parents of Emily and those parents stood on each side of the father of Damian. Sophia said "They knew each other" "Indeed" Emily replied. "Though I have no idea why" Emily's phone made a vibrating sound once more. A text arrived from a sequence of numbers that she did not recognize, stating that the father of Damian and the parents of Emily were examining the same problem. The rate of the heartbeat of Emily increased. There is another text, which is also from a sender without a name, stating that Damian does not possess the complete narrative either. Emily looked at the display with focus. The last text then arrived from an anonymous sender: Ask Damian What His Father Found Out Before He Died.