Chapter 6
Evelyn made bail by afternoon.
That was when fear entered properly.
Until then, I had anger.
Anger keeps you upright.
Fear asks where you will sleep.
Marissa arranged a protective order.
Temporary.
Imperfect.
Still necessary.
Daniel offered to come with me.
I said no.
His face twisted.
“I’m trying.”
“I know.”
“Then let me help.”
“You can start by telling police everything your mother asked you to sign.”
He nodded.
“I will.”
“And Daniel?”
He looked up.
“Do not warn her.”
Pain crossed his face.
The fact that I had to say it told us both how much had broken.
That night, I stayed at Robert’s second apartment downtown.
He insisted.
I accepted because the building had security and my head still hurt.
At midnight, someone slid an envelope under the door.
No knock.
No footsteps.
Just paper whispering across wood.
I froze.
Inside was a photo of me leaving the hotel.
On the back, one sentence.
Thieves should keep quiet.
I called Marissa.
Then police.
Then Robert.
Daniel called six times.
I did not answer until the seventh.
His voice was frantic.
“Claire, Mom is gone.”
“What?”
“She cut off her ankle monitor.”
My blood went cold.
“When?”
“An hour ago.”
I looked at the envelope.
“She knows where I am.”
Daniel went silent.
Then whispered, “I didn’t tell her.”
I wanted to believe him.
I did not know if I could.
Security moved me to another floor.
Police searched the building.
No Evelyn.
No Malcolm.
At 2:13 a.m., Robert called.
His voice sounded strange.
“Claire.”
“What happened?”
“The surgery papers are missing from my safe.”
I closed my eyes.
“Evelyn?”
“No.”
May you like
A pause.
Then he said, “Only Daniel knew the code.”
