Because I’d rather be a source of comfort than pain. Keep these for a time when you need them, and I’ll be there to bandage your wounds.
I didn’t fail to execute my plan in your bedroom that night. My plan failed me. We can’t destroy what we love without killing ourselves in the process. I wasn’t pretending then, and I’m not pretending now.
I love you still.
Natalia
Pain radiates through me, and my eyes blur as I flip the page. It takes me a minute to realize what I’m seeing. They are her notes from her search for Nino.
-First sighting of Enzo in over a year and a half. He returned to the building on Pearl Street to meet with Nathaniel. Consider the risk of approaching Nathaniel? Need confirmation of Camilo’s location first. Will continue to track Enzo’s movements.
-Followed Enzo to a building in Tribeca today. He met with another associate, unknown name. Tall, well presented in a suit and tie. Handsome man, but terrifying. His eyes are so stark. Is he mafia too?
-Lost Enzo in traffic. Haven’t seen him in three days. Followed his associate to a dinner meeting with another unknown. The next day, the associate left and didn’t return.
-Nathaniel is dead. They removed his body from the Pearl Street building this afternoon. Was it related to Enzo?
-Three months since I’ve seen Enzo. No good leads. Starting to lose hope. No sign of associate either.
-Six months with no updates.
-Another year gone. No sign of Enzo. Where is Camilo?
-Three years in. Losing hope. No Enzo. No associate. Check the building periodically, but nothing new.
-Lead on Enzo’s New York address. PI managed to dig up his last name. It’s Marcone. But nothing comes up for him other than this rental he never uses. No other ties to this city, job or otherwise. Will keep searching.
-Enzo’s associate has returned. Followed him upstate in the middle of the night. The taxi driver got spooked, and the associate lost us.
-Associate still in New York. Followed him to a coffee shop this morning, meeting with another unknown. Have a name from the conversation. Alessio Scarcello. Will continue to track.
-Alessio Scarcello lives in the building in Tribeca. The building has guards and no access to outsiders. He has a driver. Searches for him turn up nothing. Who is this man?
-Followed Alessio to the coffee shop this morning. He had a phone conversation and said he’s leaving soon. Must act now. Paid a guy from the subway a hundred bucks to bump into Alessio’s table and spill his drink. Please don’t let this guy die because of me.
-Plan executed. Alessio didn’t kill subway guy, and I made the swap when he went to the bathroom. He has my pen now, and I have his.
-Spent the rest of the night listening to audio from pen. One phone call from Alessio to unknown. Asked about someone named Nino. Says he’s flying back home to Seattle tomorrow morning at ten a.m. Will follow.
-In Seattle. Landed early, waiting for his arrival. No signs yet.
-He arrived on a private jet. Did not see him but was able to verify his location through GPS. Outside his home. Locked gate.
-He has a little boy he calls Nino. Have yet to see him but heard him speak. Nino does not refer to him as his father. Could it be Camilo?
-Alessio rarely leaves his house, except for at night or at random times during the day. There does not appear to be any set schedule for him. The guard drives the boy to school. Hoping to get a better look tomorrow.
-Neighbor caught me lurking on the street. Asked me what I was doing. Need to lay low for a few days. Hired PI.
-PI couldn’t find any birth record with Alessio listed as the father. Feel like I’m getting closer.
-Alessio mentioned Enzo to Nino today. He referred to him as his father in a past context. I’ve finally found him.
-Saw Nino for the first time outside his school. He’s so beautiful, I cried. When can I hold him again? I have to get him back.
-Alessio seems kind to Nino, although distant. He’s not as intimidating when he speaks to Nino. Does Nino love him?
-No information on Enzo. Alessio has Nino full time. Is Enzo dead?
-Pen battery is running low. Need to make a plan. Taking him from school isn’t an option. I won’t get past the security and definitely won’t make it out of there with the guard watching. How will I ever get Nino to trust me when he doesn’t know who I am?
-Overheard Alessio speaking of interviews for a nanny position. This is my chance. Must find ad.
-Found ad, applied, and got interview!
-Alessio Scarcello is more terrifying in person. But he’s different. He doesn’t give me that sick feeling Enzo did. In fact, I’m not really sure what I feel about him. It’s strange and new. I want to believe he’s a good man. Does he love Nino?