The phone rang at 10:00 AM the next morning.
The caller ID flashed: Lila <3.
Francesca stared at it. She let it ring three times.
She answered.
"Hey, girl!" Lila's voice was sugary sweet. "I miss you! We have to celebrate the engagement. Shopping?"
Francesca looked at the screenshot on her laptop. The one from the video. Lila's face twisted in ecstasy.
"I'd love to," Francesca said. Her voice was steady. "Let's go to Madison Avenue."
"Perfect," Lila squealed. "You know I've been eyeing that dress at Valentino."
Of course she had. And she expected Francesca to pay for it. Like always.
"Meet me at Sarabeth's for brunch first," Francesca said.
She hung up.
She opened her desk drawer.
She took out her own phone and activated a piece of software she'd acquired after the last corporate espionage attempt at her father's firm. It created a phantom Wi-Fi network, a perfect mirror of the public one at the restaurant. An ugly tool for an ugly job.
She dressed in a cream suit. She looked like money. She looked like a victim.
She walked into the restaurant.
Lila was already there, sipping a mimosa.
She stood up to hug Francesca.
The scent hit Francesca. It was Julian's cologne. Mixed with Lila's floral perfume.
It made Francesca's stomach turn.
"You look tired, babe," Lila said, sitting down. "Wedding stress?"
"Something like that," Francesca said.
Lila leaned in. "So, I met someone new. He's... complicated. But so rich."
She was talking about Julian. She was bragging about sleeping with Francesca's fiancé, to Francesca's face.
"Really?" Francesca asked. "Do I know him?"
"No," Lila said quickly. "He's very private."
Francesca smiled. "I'm happy for you."
She gestured to Lila's phone. "The Wi-Fi here is terrible, use the private guest network. The password is 'SarabethsVIP'."
"Oh, you're a lifesaver," Lila said, tapping in the password. A moment later, a quiet notification pinged on Francesca's phone, hidden in her lap. Target Acquired. Mirroring Data Stream.
The data was streaming in. Texts. Photos. Banking apps.
She opened the message thread with Julian.
Lila: She's such a prude. I bet she just lies there.
Julian: She's an investment, babe. You're the fun.
Francesca felt a cold calm settle over her.
The waiter brought the check.
Francesca didn't move.
Usually, she grabbed it.
Lila waited. She cleared her throat.
Francesca sipped her water.
"Are you getting this?" Lila asked, her smile straining.
"Oh, I forgot my wallet in the car," Francesca lied smoothly. "Can you get this one? I'll treat you at the boutique."
Lila's jaw tightened. "Sure."
She put down her card. She looked annoyed.
"Ready to shop?" Francesca asked.
"Born ready," Lila said.
Francesca texted Grafton under the table.
Francesca: The fish is on the hook. Madison Avenue. 30 minutes.
Grafton: En route. Don't bore me.
