Chapter 3: The Name
Aaliyah couldn't speak.
For several seconds, all she could hear was Denise crying through the phone.
Then Aaliyah laughed once.
It wasn't a happy sound.
It was the kind of laugh that came when something was so absurd that her mind couldn't process it.
“You're saying Marcus stole the money?””
“I didn't say stole.””
“You just said he did.””
“I said he moved it.””
“Why?””
“I don't know.””
“You expect me to believe that?””
Denise sniffed.
“I know what it looks like.””
“No, Denise. You don't.””
Aaliyah looked at the papers scattered across the kitchen.
Thirty-eight thousand dollars.
Her father’s house.
The mysterious account.
Marcus leaving.
Everything seemed connected.
But none of it made sense.
She lowered her voice.
“Tell me the truth.””
“I am.””
“No. You're giving me pieces.””
Denise was silent.
Aaliyah tightened her grip on the phone.
“Why did you say you thought Marcus would leave me?””
“I didn't mean it like that.””
“You said exactly that.””
“I was angry.””
“Angry about what?””
Another pause.
Then Denise said, “Because he found out.””
Aaliyah's heart began pounding again.
“Found out what?””
“I can't tell you over the phone.””
“Why?””
“Because I don't know who is listening.””
Aaliyah looked around the apartment.
“Who would be listening?””
“I don't know!””
Denise’s voice cracked.
“Aaliyah, please. Meet me tomorrow.””
“No.””
“Aaliyah—”
“I want answers now.””
“I can't give you answers without showing you something.””
“What?””
Denise hesitated.
“Dad's original will.””
Aaliyah went completely still.
“What does Dad's will have to do with Marcus?””
“I don't know.””
“Denise.””
“I swear.””
Aaliyah sat down slowly.
“Where is it?””
“At my house.””
“I'll come tonight.””
“No.””
“Why not?””
“Because someone was here earlier.””
Aaliyah’s stomach tightened.
“Who?””
“I don't know.””
“You don't know?””
“I heard the back door open. When I checked, nobody was there.””
Aaliyah stood.
“Did you call the police?””
“No.””
“Why?””
“Because I didn't know if it was connected.””
“To what?””
Denise didn't answer.
“Denise!””
“I'll explain tomorrow.””
The call ended.
Aaliyah stood alone in the kitchen.
Her first instinct was to call Marcus.
Her second was to ignore his request.
She chose the second.
She opened their messages.
Her fingers moved quickly.
*Aaliyah: Where are you?*
She waited.
Nothing.
*Aaliyah: Denise says you moved the money.*
Still nothing.
*Aaliyah: If that's true, tell me why.*
Five minutes passed.
Then ten.
Finally, the typing indicator appeared.
Aaliyah's heart jumped.
Three dots.
They disappeared.
Then appeared again.
Her phone buzzed.
*Marcus: Don't believe everything Denise tells you.*
Aaliyah stared at the message.
She typed immediately.
*Aaliyah: Did you move the money?*
The reply came almost instantly.
*Marcus: Yes.*
Her breath caught.
Another message appeared.
*Marcus: But I didn't take it.*
Aaliyah’s hands went cold.
*Aaliyah: Where did it go?*
Marcus didn't answer.
Instead, another message arrived.
*Marcus: Check the basement storage locker.*
Aaliyah frowned.
Their building had a shared basement with individual storage units.
Marcus had rented one years ago.
She had never cared what he kept inside.
She grabbed her coat.
Before she could leave, her phone buzzed again.
*Marcus: And Aaliyah... don't go alone.*
She stopped at the door.
*Aaliyah: Why?*
No response.
She waited.
Nothing.
Then another message appeared.
*Marcus: Because the person who has been watching us knows you're looking now.*
Aaliyah’s blood ran cold.
She slowly turned toward the apartment.
The lights were on.
The curtains were closed.
Everything looked normal.
Then she noticed something.
The living-room window.
One curtain was slightly open.
She hadn't left it that way.
Aaliyah walked closer.
Her pulse hammered in her ears.
She pulled the curtain back.
Across the street, beneath a flickering streetlamp, a black SUV sat parked with its engine running.
Its headlights were off.
Aaliyah couldn't see the driver.
Then the vehicle's interior light came on.
Someone inside lifted a phone.
Her phone buzzed.
Aaliyah looked down.
Unknown number.
One message.
*STOP LOOKING FOR MARCUS.*
May you like
A second message arrived before she could breathe.
*OR YOU'LL FIND OUT WHY HE REALLY LEFT.*
