Page 43 of Shadow Redemption
“Ruth received another threatening email.”
Trace frowned. “What does it say?”
“If you want to live, stay away from Mexico.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“When did you receive this email?” Ben asked.
Ruth hid her hands under the table. With a room full of operatives who dodged bullets for a living, she didn’t want to appear weak and afraid even though that’s how she felt. Would this nightmare never end? “Ten minutes ago. I showed it to Bridget. She’s tracing the sender’s IP address.”
“I doubt she’ll have much luck,” Joe said. “The other threatening emails came from throwaway accounts that were closed as soon as the message was sent.”
Sam frowned. “Are you sure your stalker sent that email?”
“Why wouldn’t he be the sender?”
“What are you thinking, Sparky?” Joe asked his wife.
“Stalkers usually send pictures or verbal threats if the object of his obsession shows affection to another man. That email doesn’t sound like it came from a stalker.”
Nico looked thoughtful. “Sam has a point. Any chance it’s from a professional rival?”
Another model? “It’s possible,” she admitted. “The modeling business is competitive. Supermodels don’t stay at the top of the profession for long.”
“Why not?”
“Age and time work against you. The window of opportunity is a short one.”
“How long have you been a model?”
“Long enough that my career is winding down.” Sooner than anyone realized except for her agent. He wasn’t happy with her decision, insisting that she was still a hot commodity since she still received offers for many plum assignments.
But Ruth had made more money than she could spend in ten lifetimes over the course of her modeling career. Through judicious saving and investing, she never had to work again. However, she was too young to sit on a rocking chair on the front porch of her home for the rest of her life. Good thing she had ambitious plans in the works.
“That’s crazy.” Under cover of the table, Ben’s hand covered hers. “You’re one of the most beautiful women in the world.”
She grinned. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
“Focus,” Nico said.
Right. “To answer your question, yes, I do have professional rivals who would do almost anything to take over my contracts.”
“Would they kill for the opportunity?” Trace asked.
Ruth thought about that for a moment, then shrugged one shoulder. “A few would happily gouge my eyes out if they could get by with it. I don’t know about murder, though.”
Joe shook his head. “Cutthroat competition.”
“We need a list.” Nico slid a small pad of lined paper across the table to Ruth along with a pen.
“You don’t know how many men and women that will include.”
“Focus on those who will be in Mexico with you. The threat specifically mentioned that location.”
“Is this photoshoot that important in the industry?” Nico asked.
“It’s for the top fashion designer in the world. This is the job every model wanted.”