Conspiracy of Silence: A gripping psychological thriller with a brilliant twist

CHAPTER 1

WHEN NINA KASAI was a little girl, she learned how to deceive.

As she darted off the elevator on the twenty-eighth floor of One International Place in Boston’s financial district, she couldn’t shake the naked fear curdling in her stomach—fear that had gripped her the minute she ambled off the subway and saw the man disappear before she got a good look at him. Were her lies finally about to catch up with her? Had he spotted her on the train?

Nina whizzed past the receptionist without offering her usual cheerful morning greeting. She would apologize to Sandy and the smattering of co-workers hanging around the space later. First, she needed the safety of her office. Once inside, she sagged against the door with relief. The day was supposed to be perfect, the greatest triumph of her career, and she refused to spend another minute looking over her shoulder. She shook off the feeling of paranoia as best she could.

At thirty-six, she was the youngest executive to appear on the cover of Executive Insider, a high-profile and prestigious national business magazine. Her hard work and sacrifice had finally paid off. Nina dropped her bag on one of the empty chairs, took a deep and calming breath, and approached her desk. There it was, thanks to her assistant Eric, who made sure he had her copy ready the minute the publication hit the newsstands. Nina picked up the magazine and could scarcely believe the image staring back at her—flawless makeup, perfectly coiffed hair, understated yet exquisite jewelry, and a flattering, tailored suit.

She took a seat, opened the magazine, and scanned the table of contents for the cover story. Once she was finished reading, she leaned back with a satisfied grin on her face. Nothing could ruin this day for her.

Someone rapped on her office door.

Come in, she said airily, still giddy from reading the article.

That’s the best invitation I’ve had all week.

That ugly fear in the pit of her stomach returned as she slowly rotated her swivel chair to face Phillip Copeland, a man she had gone to extraordinary lengths to erase from her memory. She schooled her features into one of mild surprise and irritation and hoped the shock that was wreaking havoc with her insides wasn’t visible. His slight frame was draped in a tailored designer suit; glasses perched on his elegant nose, enhancing the arrogance he wore like a badge of honor. To her dismay, he hadn’t aged a bit.

Congratulations, gorgeous, he said smoothly. It’s good to see you again.

Lucifer, Nina said. She stood up and folded her arms.

That was mean, he said, frowning.

No more than you deserve.

I was hoping for a better reception. Maybe even a hug. It’s been a long time, Nina.

I can’t imagine why you’d think that. I guess some things never change. You still believe the sun rises and sets on you.

You thought so at one point in time, he said, inching closer.

I wised up.

At five foot ten, Nina towered over him with the additional three inches provided by her heels. Yet, she suddenly felt claustrophobic, so she walked over to a bookshelf at the far corner of the office.

Why are you here? she asked, tapping her foot.

He pointed to the issue of Executive Insider on her desk. Consider me impressed. I want to retain your services as a communications consultant.

Why?

He looked at her sheepishly. I need help building my personal brand. I figure you’d be great for the messaging and media strategy, with maybe even a little speechwriting thrown in.

Nina opened her mouth to say something but thought the better of it. She needed time to process what he was actually saying. She hadn’t seen the man in years, and he just waltzed into her office with an out-of-the-blue consulting offer.

Why me, Phillip? There are any number of qualified people in the city who would do a great job. In fact, I can tap my network and recommend someone.

"Your work is getting national attention. I want you to advise me."

As I said, I’m happy to recommend someone.

You get results, he said, refusing to back down.

She couldn’t dispute that statement. As chief marketing officer, she had responsibilities for sales, media relations, customer experience, advertising and promotion, web services, and corporate programs. Her ability to drive revenue and demonstrate return on investment, particularly for a function often criticized for its inability to do so, was what had caught the attention of the editors at Executive Insider.

Nina’s company-issued smartphone beeped, and she was glad for the reprieve. She crossed the room in three brief strides and picked up the device. It was a text message from Gwen, her director of global marketing, explaining she would be late for their meeting.

I can’t help you, she said, turning her attention back to Phillip. My job is demanding, and at the end of the day, I just want to go home to my husband.

I can appreciate that, he said with forced sympathy. But I will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Maybe an hour or two a week for a few weeks?

The answer is still no, she said firmly.

Nina didn’t know the real motive behind his sudden visit, but she was willing to bet her Celtics courtside seats it had little to do with building his brand. Something big was brewing. It had to be to cause him to seek her out after all these years.

Just think about it, she heard him say, his voice dragging her out of her thoughts.

My answer won’t change.

Phillip picked up a wedding photo from her desk. Have you told your husband the truth?

Don’t touch that! She snatched the photo away from him.

I guess I have my answer. Think about my offer.

You don’t hear very well, do you?

You’ll come around.

What if I don’t?

I always achieve my objective, Nina.

And what would that be? she pressed, knowing full well his calculating nature wouldn’t allow him to be honest.

I want one of the top marketers in the country advising me. What else?

Nina’s mind raced after he exited her office. Maybe she was an idiot to think she could run forever, keep up the lies forever. If Phillip were to expose her, her marriage would be the first in a series of high-value casualties. She had invested too much time and energy into living the perfect lie to allow that to happen.

CHAPTER 2

NINA WASN’T THE type of woman who sat around waiting for things to happen, but Phillip had her at a disadvantage. His sudden reappearance was a precursor to something much bigger, and she shuddered to think what that might be. She’d told Marc enough white lies to ensure he didn’t ask inconvenient questions, but she also knew lies had a way of unraveling. When they did, lives usually changed dramatically.

She busied herself preparing breakfast in the large eat-in kitchen of the modern four-bedroom colonial she shared with Marc. He protested initially when she wanted them to purchase it, arguing they didn’t need a three-thousand-square-foot house for the two of them, but Nina always looked at the big picture.

For her, that included kids running around and breaking things. Their home was in an affluent suburb of eighteen thousand, thirty miles west of Boston—a town voted by Money Magazine as one of the best places to live in America. That was a major selling point for someone who had her entire future planned out. The local schools consistently scored highly in the rankings of top public-school systems in the state.

She turned around and caught Marc, and his muscular six-foot-two frame, leaning against the kitchen doorway with a lazy grin on his face. It smells great in here. Do you need help?

I have it covered. I made all your favorites. Nina placed a plate of scrambled eggs with bacon on the kitchen table and made a second trip to the stove to pick up the steaming hot Belgian waffles. A quick trip to the refrigerator yielded a large carafe of freshly squeezed orange juice. Marc took care of the glasses, plates, and flatware and then sat down.

Where did you go last night? he asked, through a mouthful of food.

Nina was startled by the question, but she tried to sound casual. What do you mean?

I reached for you in the middle of the night, and you were gone.

I couldn’t sleep, so I went downstairs to watch a little TV.

We have a TV in our bedroom.

Nina knew she was being defensive, but she wondered why Marc was making a big deal about this. It wasn’t like he didn’t know she suffered from bouts of insomnia. She just wasn’t about to admit that a heartless bastard had induced this latest round.

I didn’t want to disturb you. You were sleeping so peacefully.

He nodded, satisfied with her answer.

The house telephone rang while Nina was clearing the dishes, shattering the serenity of their Sunday morning. An aggravated Nina answered.

Yes? she snapped.

Why didn’t you answer your cell phone?

There was only one person she knew who exhibited this particular brand of arrogance.

Why are you calling my home? She dropped her voice to a whisper so as not to arouse Marc’s suspicions. How did you get this number?

You’d be amazed what you can find out if you know where to look.

What do you want?

It’s been five days since our last conversation. You only have two days left to accept my offer. I’m even willing to double your fee.

That’s two days to figure out how to get you off my back. Anything can happen.

Don’t get smart with me, Nina. It’s not a good idea.

Really? she asked sweetly and then hung up.

Who was that? Marc asked, furrowing a curious brow.

A pushy recruiter with no respect for boundaries. Nothing I can’t handle.

Strange you would get a call at home on a Sunday. Which firm does this recruiter work for?

It’s not important. He won’t be calling anymore.

How can you be so sure? Marc insisted. With the publicity you’ve been getting, Baseline’s competitors are going to try and poach you.

Well, they can’t. I signed non-compete and non-disclosure agreements.

Marc looked like he wanted to discuss things further, but Nina changed the subject.

Don’t you have a soccer game to get ready for?

I do. Thanks for breakfast, he said, dropping a quick kiss on her forehead.

Nina reached for her purse on the counter after Marc headed upstairs. She took out her cell phone and went through the call log to see if Phillip’s number had shown up. It was logged as an unknown number.

Nina punched speed dial number three. The call went to voicemail.

Hey, it’s me, she said. We have a category-five storm on the horizon.

CHARLENE HAMILTON was a force of nature, all ninety-eight pounds of her. The self-proclaimed chocolate fox and hair-styling maven had blown into Nina’s life twenty-two years earlier when they were freshmen at Westwood High School. Charlene had threatened to rearrange the intestines of a badly behaved boy who had been giving Nina a hard time. The discovery that they shared a common Caribbean heritage sealed the friendship that had proved unbreakable over the years.

How many people did you run off the road to get here so fast? Nina teased as Charlene plopped her favorite purse down on the kitchen counter.

"Girl, please. You can’t be throwing around words like category five and not expect consequences."

There’s somewhere I need to be this weekend—

Marc appeared around the doorway in full soccer garb. The conversation came to a halt.

Looking luscious as always, Marc, Charlene said shamelessly. Don’t hurt yourself on that soccer field now. We need you in peak condition.

I won’t break anything, Charlene, he said, humoring her. I promise.

Nina shrugged and gave Marc the you-know-how-she-is look. Marc bid both women goodbye and disappeared from view.

If you ever get tired of him, I’ll take him off your hands.

Only if I’m in a box in the ground with worms for company.

I can wait. Charlene grabbed the white porcelain jar marked cookies off the counter and headed for the kitchen table. She set the jar down, reached to the bottom, and came up with an oatmeal raisin cookie, her favorite.

Nina heard the engine of Marc’s car roar to life in the garage. It was her cue to speak freely.

I need to sleep over Friday night for a Saturday trip to Baltimore.

Charlene lived in Quincy, and from there, Nina could make it to Logan Airport in less than half an hour. She would tell Marc she was spending the weekend with Charlene for some female bonding and retail therapy.

Phillip came to see me at the office. It was not a happy reunion.

Charlene almost choked on the cookie. Stop lying.

Nina gave her best friend a recap of Phillip’s visit.

What are you going to do?

That’s where Baltimore comes in.

Who’s in Baltimore?

A friend with special skills.

Details, girl. Don’t make me beat it out of you.

Sonny Alvarez.

The computer guy?

He’s much more than a computer guy.

Do I even want to know?

Probably not.

Why don’t you just tell Marc the truth?

That’s not an option, Nina said stiffly.

How are you going to handle Phillip? Do you even have a plan besides Sonny?

I’m making it up as I go.

Charlene rolled her eyes at Nina. You’re asking for trouble, keeping this from Marc.

How do you figure?

Tell him about Phillip before it’s too late. Don’t you think you’ve been hiding long enough?

You’re my best friend. You’re supposed to be helping me plot and scheme, Nina said half-jokingly. I’ve kept the truth from Marc this long to protect us. Whatever Phillip has planned, I must face it head-on.

Secrets have a way of coming back to bite you in the ass. I’m just saying.

I can’t worry about that right now. There’s too much at stake. You have no idea.

Such as? Charlene asked.

Nothing you don’t already know.

Nina hated lying to her best friend, but there were certain truths Nina couldn’t share with anyone. Not even Charlene.

CHAPTER 3

THE DELTA AIRLINES shuttle touched down at Baltimore-Washington International Airport a little past noon. A purposeful Nina made her way to ground transportation and jumped into the first available cab. She directed the driver to her destination and arrived twenty minutes later. She was greeted at the Havana Grill, a popular Cuban restaurant.

Mr. Alvarez is expecting you, said the maître d’ who sported a nose ring and a dragon tattoo on his left arm. Please, follow me.

He led her through the restaurant filled with the chatter of lunchtime patrons. Strategically placed potted palm trees and ocean-themed artwork hugged the walls, giving the place a tropical flair. They arrived at a large booth in the far corner of the restaurant, where a beaming Sonny stood up and hugged her tightly. The maître d’ said something to him in rapid Spanish and then disappeared.

What was that about?

He says I’m a lucky man.

Oh, Nina said, blushing.

Sonny Alvarez looked like he’d just stepped off the cover of GQ. He possessed a sultry Latin charm that had women slipping him their phone numbers wherever he went. Born to a Mexican father and a Puerto Rican mother, the former Navy SEAL grew up in California and met Nina while she was a sophomore at Stanford and he was a Ph.D. candidate in Math and Computer Science. The National Security Agency came knocking, and Sonny secured a position as one of their top analysts in the Cryptography Division. As far as Nina could tell, Sonny hadn’t met a code he couldn’t crack or a network he couldn’t hack.

"So, mamacita, how much trouble are you in?" he asked, as he pulled out a chair for Nina and took the one across from her.

I came to see you, didn’t I? That should be a clue.

Sonny leaned back in his chair and clasped both hands behind his head as he studied her.

You’re afraid. What are you running from?

My past. I was just minding my own business when it showed up uninvited.

With baggage?

Enough to put Louis Vuitton out of business.

He laughed out loud as the waiter appeared to take their order. Nina ordered seafood with fried plantain chips; Sonny opted for red beans and rice with chicken.

Sounds like unresolved personal issues. I don’t see where I fit in.

Nina raked her fingers through her hair. I wouldn’t have come if I didn’t think you could help me, Sonny.

Had she put all her faith in one place? What if Sonny balked at her request? He could get in serious trouble if he was ever caught helping her, and frankly, she had no right to ask him to risk his job and reputation for her. But what choice did she have?

Tell me then. What’s got you so scared?

I made a decision years ago that probably saved my life. Not everyone was pleased.

Are you in physical danger? He leaned forward, his face anxious.

Worse.

I see. What can I do?

What you do best. Get in and out without a trace. She felt vulnerable and exposed. Nina trusted Sonny but hated asking for favors.

Wow. I suppose being a regular girl with regular problems is out of the question?

If I were, you wouldn’t give me a second thought.

"You cut me deep, mamacita."

It’s true.

You’re not even supposed to know what I do for a living. If the agency finds out you came to me for help, I could be in serious trouble.

She squeezed her eyes tightly, willing him to come to her rescue.

But I owe you. You had my back when no one else did. I haven’t forgotten. I’ll help you on my personal time, away from work.

Nina didn’t realize she was shaking. When she opened her eyes, Sonny’s hands were covering hers.

I’m sorry, she said. I thought I saw my life being flushed down the toilet.

Not as long as I’m around.

That’s for scaring me, she said and playfully slapped him on the arm.

I would never say no to you, Nina.

I don’t want to take our friendship for granted.

"Friendship, huh? Whose fault was that?"

It wouldn’t have worked between us. It was better to spare you.

You didn’t invite me to your wedding.

Would you have come?

No.

NINA READ the note for the third time and thought it was a trap. It had to be.

I’ve behaved abominably. Allow me to apologize.

There was no signature at the bottom, but she didn’t need one to know who’d sent it. She glanced at the stack of files on her neatly organized mahogany desk, along with two computers and her smartphone that kept dinging. They all needed her attention, but she was too tense to focus. She kicked off her heels and began pacing.

I see you got my note.

The voice startled her. She turned around to find Phillip behind her.

You have got to stop popping into my office unannounced, she said, exasperated. Make an appointment like everybody else. Eric is in so much trouble.

It’s not your assistant’s fault. Your boss and I are old friends. Plus, the door was open.

The news that Phillip and Jack were friends was disconcerting. How much had Phillip told Jack about their past together? Nina didn’t dare ask Phillip; he would just use it as another opportunity to try and blackmail her. He was insinuating himself into her professional life, and she didn’t like it one bit. On the other hand, it might give her a chance to find out what he was up to. Besides, she’d spent so many years denying his existence; it wouldn’t be difficult to deny a relationship ever existed in the first place if Jack started asking questions.

What are you up to? she asked suspiciously. Nina didn’t bother to offer him a seat and remained standing.

I can admit when I’m wrong.

To the best of my knowledge, hell has not yet frozen over.

The screensaver on one of the laptops caught his attention–a close-up of Nina and Marc on the beach in Mustique.

Where are the kids? he asked and came in close to her desk for a better look.

He knew damn well she didn’t have any. Phillip Copeland was nothing if not thorough. She wouldn’t be surprised if he had a dossier on her, dictionary thick.

Mind your own business, she said and then powered down the laptop and closed it. You said you wanted to apologize. I’m listening. Then you can leave.

Have dinner with me tonight.

The request caught her off guard. Why?

Sometimes it helps to sort things out over a good meal. Maybe I came on a little too strong.

I can’t. I’ll be leaving work late tonight. As if to prove her point, she picked up her phone off the desk and began scrolling through the numerous messages she had ignored earlier.

Jack is working you too hard. I think I’ll have a word with him.

Nina looked up from her phone. And why would Jack Kendall listen to anything you have to say regarding his staff?

As I said, he and I go way back. We sit on the board together.

What board? He definitely had her attention. She returned the phone to its original spot on the desk and turned to face him.

The Board of Directors of Baseline Technologies, he said pointedly.

I report directly to Jack. I would have known if there was a new addition to the board.

I convinced them to delay the announcement. I wanted to be the one to tell you, after the board meeting this morning.

Lucky me.

Oh, come on, Nina. Let’s sit down like two civilized people so I can properly apologize for my behavior. You have nothing to fear from me.

I’m sure Jeffrey Dahmer said the same thing to his victims before he hacked them to pieces.

He chuckled. A lesser man would be insulted, but I appreciate your sense of humor.

It wasn’t meant to be funny.

I don’t understand why you’re being so stubborn. You’re behaving as if I’m a criminal.

That’s because you are.

Thanks for the invitation, but I have to decline.

Don’t be hasty. It’s only dinner. I want you to see that I’m not an ogre.

Too late.

You’re wrong. Just give me a chance to prove it.

His insistence should have been a warning, but Nina’s curiosity made the decision for her.

Fine. Where?

CHAPTER 4

NINA PULLED UP to the Four Seasons Hotel on Boylston Street and handed her car keys to the valet attendant. Aujourd’hui Restaurant & Lounge was on the second floor, a spot known for fantastic dining and conversation with Boston’s movers and shakers. Tables offering a view of the Boston Public Gardens abutted floor-to-ceiling windows. The place was already packed for a weeknight and was alive with the chatter and socializing of the after-work crowd.

Phillip was nursing a drink at his table a few feet from the bar. He looked relieved when he saw her. You made it. I wasn’t sure you would come.

I said I would.

He pulled out a chair so she could sit, but she waved him off and pulled out her own chair opposite him.

When a gentleman holds out a seat for you, it’s polite to accept it, he said, admonishing her.

You’re not a gentleman, so I’m off the hook. His eyes narrowed, the way they often did when he was irritated.

"Just relax. There’s no reason we