Emma spent the next three days studying everything in Vale's old files
She barely left the room
Her eyes scanning pages
Her fingers flipping through folders
Looking for a pattern
A clue
Anything that would lead to the identity behind the single letter
R
Damon watched her from the doorway every night
Concerned
But not interfering
He knew this was how she coped
By solving
By understanding
On the fourth morning
She emerged from the study
Hair tied back
Eyes tired but sharper than ever
I found something
Damon looked up from the couch where he'd been reading
Show me
Emma dropped a printed photo on the coffee table
It was blurry
A zoomed-in security feed
But a man's outline could be seen
Tall
Wearing a long coat
Face turned away
This was the man who met Vale six months before his death
According to the timestamp
It was one of the last secret meetings Vale ever had
Emma sat down beside Damon and pulled out a second photo
This one was clearer
Taken from the opposite angle
The same man
Leaning against a black car
This car had a license plate
And that was what Emma tracked
Damon leaned closer
Did you run the plate
Emma nodded
Fake registration
But it linked to a shell company
Owned by another company
And that one led to this
She handed him a document
Damon's eyes narrowed as he read
A consulting firm based in Zurich
Emma pointed at the name signed at the bottom of a transfer form
R Ivers
Damon leaned back
Processing
That's our guy
Emma nodded once
He's not just a consultant
He's ex-intelligence
No official record
But Leo confirmed his face matched a rogue agent that went missing years ago
Damon stared at the paper
So Vale had an ex-spy working with him
Probably helped cover up everything
Maybe even helped destroy evidence
Emma's voice lowered
And if he's still out there
He might be cleaning up loose ends
Damon stood up and began pacing slowly
We'll find him
But we need to be smart
We need someone who can track ghosts
Emma raised an eyebrow
You're not thinking of who I think you are
Damon looked at her with a smirk
I'm thinking exactly of her
That evening
They flew to Paris
Their plane touched down at night
The city glowing in the distance
They were met by a woman waiting in a dark coat
Short hair
Sharp eyes
French accent
Colette Rivas
A former associate of Damon's from his wilder years
An information broker
One of the best
She hugged Damon with a smirk
You only call when you're desperate
Damon gestured to Emma
This is Emma
My wife
We need help
Colette turned to Emma
Her gaze assessing but respectful
You're the one that changed him
Impressive
Emma smiled faintly
Not completely
But enough
Colette led them to a private loft hidden deep in the Montmartre district
Inside
The walls were covered in screens
Maps
Old photos
Emma wasted no time
She placed all the files on the table
This man
R Ivers
Alias or not
We need to find him
Colette sat down and lit a cigarette
You're asking for a ghost
But I like ghosts
They scream when you catch them
Emma and Damon waited as Colette scanned the files
Her fingers typing quickly
Eyes darting between monitors
Hours passed
Emma leaned against Damon's side
He held her close
Kissed her temple
We'll find him
And when we do
It ends
Suddenly
Colette paused
She pointed to a new file opening on her screen
There he is
In Rome
Damon stood up instantly
You're sure
Colette nodded
A reservation under the same shell company's name
He's staying at a private estate outside the city
Emma's heart pounded
Let's go
Before Colette could respond
Another alert popped up on the screen
Colette cursed under her breath in French
You're not the only ones looking for him
Someone else just accessed his flight logs
Tracked his estate security
Emma's eyes widened
Who
Colette frowned
Unknown
Encrypted
But fast
Whoever it is
They're professional
Damon's voice turned cold
We need to get to him first
Emma nodded
Her voice firm
Book us the fastest route to Rome
Now