"Well, Aria," she said to her bathroom mirror's reflection, her voice hardly audible above Marcus' shower running. "Your husband just graduated from theft to murder. Time to change your security policies."
Burned in her memory, the email she found on Marcus's laptop where Marcus had scheduled for Adrian not only business interference but also something requiring "authorization" with a specific implementation date.
'Since he wants to play spy games,' she grimly thought, 'let's see how he likes being the one under surveillance.'
"Darling?" Marcus reached out from the shower. "Did you say something?"
"Just chatting to myself about today's plans," Aria said, sounding bright. "I'll probably check into that home security upgrade we talked about and go shopping."
Marcus said, his voice clearly expressing approval, "Excellent idea. We cannot be too cautious given the recent neighborhood break-in frequency."
Twenty minutes later Marcus emerged from the toilet fully dressed in one of his expensive business suits, his hair neatly combed, and his posture expressing the deliberate seriousness of a man with important meetings ahead.
He stated, "I'll be out most of the day," kissing her forehead to show her what looked to be true devotion. "Many client meetings and that conference call with the Singapore investors."
"Of course, dear. You need not worry about me; I have enough to keep me occupied."
Aria was moving the moment Marcus' car vanished down the driveway. The night before, she had looked at security companies and found a high-end business focused on discrete surveillance gear. She needed professional-grade tools if she was going to catch Marcus and Bella in their conspiracy.
Blackstone Security Solutions had an amazing showroom: walls lined with monitors showing different camera feeds, interactive displays showing motion sensors, and discrete devices looking like common household objects.
"Good morning," the sales associate greeted her with professional, fervent energy. "How can we support you today?"
"I need a total home security overhaul," Aria said, her voice precisely tuned with worried anxiety. "We want to make sure our house is correctly secured; my husband has been getting some rather alarming business threats lately."
Robert, the middle-aged associate, turned right away into consultant mode. "Very reasonable. Threats to businesses can spread rapidly; thus, home security should always be first. Which particular issues worry you?"
"We need thorough coverage," Aria said, allowing a little tremor to find her voice. "Audio and visual monitoring of common areas, motion detection, and remote access so we can monitor everything even when we're not home."
"Very good. Allow me to present our premium house package."
Robert walked her over a range of advanced tools for the next hour that would make a professional spy jealous. Hidden cameras disguised as picture frames, smoke detectors, and ornamental items. Voice-activated recording devices able to record dialogues across a room. Motion sensors able to detect the smallest movement and start recording automatically.
Robert said, pointing to a gadget that resembled a hardcover book, "This camera can record in full HD with night vision capabilities. The battery runs for several weeks and uploads automatically to safe cloud storage."
'Perfect, now I can see my husband in real time planning murders. What a wonder of technology,' Aria reasoned.
"The audio quality on these devices is remarkable," Robert said, showing her what looked to be a regular pen turned into a sophisticated recording tool. "You can place them anywhere—bookshelves, desk drawers, even kitchen counters—and they will clearly record conversations."
"And everything can be watched remotely?"
"Very true. Complete access to all feeds, real-time alarms, and automatic cloud backup is available from our mobile app. You could be anywhere in the globe and still keep real-time check on your house."
Aria chose a complete package meant to transform her house into a surveillance center. Study, living room, dining room, master bedroom hidden cameras. Devices for recording important conversations. Track movement patterns with motion sensors. Everything she needed to record whatever Marcus and Bella were intending.
"I'll need everything installed today," she said, laying a stack of cash that slightly widened Robert's eyes. "My husband flies regularly for business, and I want the system running right away. I also want some obvious camera setups added to what will be installed."
"Surely. Two hours from now, we can have a technical team right at your house."
The installation went quickly and professionally. With the accuracy of military personnel, technicians placed devices such that every angle was covered and yet kept the look of typical home décor. Aria's house had become a sophisticated surveillance hub three hours later.
The lead technician confirmed, "The system is fully operational," showing Aria access to the mobile app. "You will get alerts anytime motion is detected or recording starts. Every bit of footage is automatically backed up to guard servers."
Aria tested her new surveillance system from the comfort of her living room as evening drew near, watching several camera feeds on her phone while posing as reading a magazine. She could see and hear everything with exactly perfect clarity.
Marcus was on his phone right away when he got home, apparently on an important business call. Aria watched through her app as he walked about his study, his voice bearing the fierce urgency of someone debating important issues.
"The timeline has been moved up," she heard him say via the concealed audio devices. "We have to apply the Blackwood solution before he can inflict any more damage."
Marcus covered logistics and timing with whoever was on the other end of the call during the several minutes of the conversation. Aria compiled her case one word at a time, recording everything.
The doorbell rang just as Marcus was finishing off his remarks on "final preparations."
Aria felt her tummy drop as she looked at the security monitor. Bella stood on the front porch, perfectly timed for Marcus's delicate corporate call.
Marcus yelled, "I'll get it," promptly hanging up his phone call.
Aria watched Marcus clearly relax as he answered the door through her surveillance system. "Perfect timing," he told Bella, his voice more in line with pleasure than with surprise.
Watching the conversation through her hidden cameras, Aria whispered to herself, "Well, well. Look who's here exactly on schedule. Time to find out what they really talk about when my husband and best friend believe I'm not listening."