Chapter 6 - THE MAN WHO SHOT FIRSTI dropped to the floor.
Martin screamed.
Another shot.
Glass shattered above us.
I crawled behind the desk.
“Martin!”
No answer.
I reached into my pocket for my phone.
No signal.
Footsteps.
Slow.
Deliberate.
Someone was coming down the stairs.
I grabbed a metal chair.
The figure appeared.
I swung.
The chair hit his shoulder.
He cursed.
I ran.
Up the stairs.
Through the hallway.
Out the front door.
I didn't stop until I reached my car.
My hands were shaking so violently I could barely start the engine.
I drove straight to Daniel.
He answered after one ring.
“Where are you?”
“The estate.”
Silence.
“You went there?”
“Yes.”
“Who told you?”
“Claire.”
Another silence.
“Daniel…”
“What did you see?”
“Records.”
His breathing changed.
“What records?”
“My father's.”
Daniel said nothing.
“Payments to you.”
Nothing.
“Martin Hale.”
Still nothing.
Then Daniel whispered,
“Is he alive?”
I froze.
“You knew he was there.”
“No.”
“You knew.”
“Ethan, listen to me.”
“You lied to me.”
“I was trying to protect you.”
“From what?”
“The truth.”
I laughed.
“You’ve been saying that for years.”
Daniel's voice cracked.
“Claire isn't running from you.”
“What?”
“She’s running from them.”
“Who?”
He hesitated.
Then said,
“Your father’s partners.”
“My father is dead.”
“That doesn't mean the organization died.”
I felt cold.
“Daniel.”
“Yes?”
“Why did Claire marry me?”
He didn't answer.
I repeated the question.
“Why did she marry me?”
Daniel finally said,
“Because she believed you could be saved.”
My throat tightened.
“Saved from what?”
“Your family.”
The call ended.
I drove home.
When I arrived, the front door was open.
I grabbed a fireplace poker.
“Who’s there?”
No answer.
Then I heard a baby crying.
My heart stopped.
“Noah?”
The sound came from upstairs.
I ran.
The nursery was empty.
But the monitor was on.
Someone was transmitting live video.
A woman appeared on the screen.
Claire.
She held Noah.
Her eyes were swollen from crying.
“Ethan.”
“Where are you?”
She shook her head.
“You cannot find us.”
“Please.”
“You need to understand.”
“I know about my father.”
“That’s only part of it.”
“What do you want?”
Claire looked down at Noah.
“I want our son alive.”
My blood froze.
“Why wouldn't he be?”
She stared at me.
“Because three people are looking for him.”
“Who?”
She swallowed.
“Daniel.”
“Vanessa?”
“She's dead.”
“I know.”
“And your father.”
“My father is dead.”
Claire whispered,
“No.”
She looked directly into the camera.
May you like
“Your father is alive.”
The screen went black.
