Chapter 6 - The Man Who Came BackValerie didn't sleep.
Neither did Thomas.
At dawn, Detective Harris arrived with a report.
"We identified the man in question."
Valerie stared at him.
"Where is he?"
"That's the problem."
"Why?"
"He's been missing for eleven years."
Valerie's chest tightened.
"What was his name?"
"Michael Mercer."
Her knees nearly gave out.
Daniel's younger brother.
Thomas's biological father.
The man Valerie had believed was dead.
She remembered the last night she had seen Michael.
He had stood outside her apartment in the rain.
"I have to leave."
"Why?"
"I'll explain."
"You keep saying that."
"I promise."
Then he disappeared.
Valerie had learned later that Michael had supposedly died overseas.
Daniel had been the one to tell her.
He had even arranged the funeral.
There had been no body.
Valerie had never questioned it.
Now she understood why.
Daniel had invented the death.
Harris placed a file in front of her.
"Michael was investigating Daniel's financial crimes."
Valerie looked up.
"Before he disappeared?"
"Yes."
"So Daniel made him disappear?"
"We're not sure."
Nick spoke.
"I've seen him."
Everyone turned.
"What?"
Nick nodded.
"Michael."
Thomas looked at him.
"When?"
Nick hesitated.
"A few months ago."
Valerie's heart stopped.
"Where?"
"Near the shelter."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't know who he was."
"What did he look like?"
"Gray coat. Scar on his eyebrow."
Harris immediately reached for a photograph.
"Was it him?"
Nick stared at it.
"Yes."
Valerie's hands shook as she looked at the photograph.
Michael.
Older.
Thinner.
But unmistakable.
"Why was he near the shelter?"
Nick swallowed.
"He asked about Thomas."
Valerie closed her eyes.
"Did he say anything else?"
Nick nodded.
"He said someone inside your family was dangerous."
Thomas looked at his mother.
"Was it Dad?"
Nick shook his head.
"No."
"Then who?"
Nick looked at Valerie.
"He said the dangerous person wasn't the one you were afraid of."
Silence.
Harris stared.
"What does that mean?"
Nick looked toward the window.
"I don't know."
Then the door opened.
An officer entered.
"Detective."
Harris stood.
"What?"
"We found a car."
"Whose?"
"Michael Mercer's."
Valerie's heart raced.
"Where?"
"In the same parking garage where Daniel attacked Nick."
Everyone went silent.
The officer continued.
"The vehicle was abandoned."
"Any sign of him?"
"Not yet."
Harris grabbed his coat.
"We're going."
Valerie stood.
"I'm coming."
"No."
"He's Thomas's father."
Harris looked at her.
"Exactly."
Valerie didn't care.
"I need answers."
Nick stood too.
"I'm going."
Harris shook his head.
"No."
Nick stared at him.
"I know where Michael used to hide."
The detective stopped.
"You do?"
Nick nodded.
"Behind an old church."
Thomas stepped forward.
"I'm coming too."
Valerie immediately said no.
But before anyone could argue, her phone rang.
Unknown number.
She answered.
Nobody spoke.
Then a man's voice whispered:
"Valerie."
Her blood went cold.
"Who is this?"
A pause.
"It's me."
She couldn't breathe.
Michael.
"Where are you?"
"I don't have much time."
"Are you alive?"
"Yes."
"Michael, where are you?"
Another pause.
Then:
"Do not trust Claire."
The line went dead.
Valerie stared at her phone.
Claire.
Her best friend.
The woman who had admitted knowing everything.
And just before the call ended, Michael had said something else.
Not loudly enough for the others to hear.
May you like
But Valerie had.
"She's the reason I disappeared."
