She forced herself to look up, expecting reassurance or perhaps surprise. What she saw instead was something she did not anticipate. Robert did not smile. He did not move closer. He simply watched her with an intensity that made her skin prickle, as though he were examining a truth he had been searching for.
After a long pause, he said quietly, “That is good. Now I am certain.”
Her stomach tightened. “Certain of what.”
He did not answer immediately. Instead, he turned and walked to the corner of the room where a plain travel case rested beside the desk. She had noticed it earlier but thought nothing of it. He entered an access code, opened the case, and stepped aside.
Inside were no clothes. No toiletries. No personal items. Instead, the interior was filled with compact devices, recording equipment, small cameras, cables, and neatly labeled storage units that looked more like tools than belongings.
Kiera stood abruptly, fear rushing in faster than reason. “What is this. Who are you.”
Robert closed the case and faced her, his voice steady. “I never lied to you. You never asked.”
She felt the room tilt. “Then tell me now.”