AUTHORS POV

“Franco,” Pedro said, his voice clipped to bare minimum. “I just got pushed out of GenMark like I was a scumbag. I want answers.”

“Anything, boss,” Franco replied instantly.

“First,” Pedro said, his fingers tightening around the phone. “Are Tessa’s records still missing? Check if they have come back online.”

Franco paused, a faint click in the line. “Yes, sir. Every digital and physical file has been scrubbed. She doesn’t exist on any official database.”

Pedro’s lips twisted in a vicious grin. “Hmm. Interesting. Good. Keep it that way.”

“Understood,” Franco said.

Pedro inhaled and pressed on. “Secondly—I want everything you can find on Clara Moretti.”

Franco’s voice...