Chapter 3 - The Warning
I didn't follow Daniel's instructions.
I went home.
That was mistake number one.
Mistake number two was believing losing my job was the worst thing Victor Mercer could do.
At 8:17 that night, someone knocked.
I looked through the peephole.
An older man stood outside.
Gray hair. Expensive coat.
"Ms. Bennett?"
"Who are you?"
"Victor Mercer."
I didn't open the door.
"What do you want?"
"To talk."
"Talk through the door."
He chuckled.
"I understand why my nephew likes you."
My blood ran cold.
"He doesn't like me."
"Daniel hasn't personally visited a retail location in four years."
I said nothing.
Victor continued.
"My nephew has responsibilities. You represent a distraction."
"I met him once."
"And yet he humiliated a regional director for you."
"Martin forged complaints."
"Martin followed instructions."
I gripped my phone.
"Go away."
"Gladly."
He paused.
"After you understand something."
"What?"
"Daniel's world destroys ordinary people."
His voice softened.
"His wife learned that."
Then he walked away.
I immediately called Daniel.
He answered before the second ring.
"Clare?"
"Your uncle was here."
Silence.
Then:
"Lock everything."
"I already did."
"Where's Lily?"
"Upstairs."
"I'm coming."
"Daniel—"
The line disconnected.
Seven minutes later, SUVs filled my street.
Daniel came through the front door like a storm.
"Did he touch you?"
"No."
"Threaten Lily?"
"No."
"What exactly did he say?"
I repeated everything.
When I mentioned his wife, Daniel's jaw tightened.
"He's lying."
"About what?"
"My wife wasn't killed because of me."
"Then what happened?"
Daniel looked away.
"She discovered Victor was stealing from our legitimate businesses and using company shipments for criminal operations I had forbidden."
I stared at him.
"She was going to expose him?"
"Yes."
"What happened?"
"Her car went off a bridge."
My anger disappeared.
"You think Victor did it."
"I've spent three years trying to prove it."
A small voice came from the stairs.
"Daniel?"
We turned.
Lily stood there in pajamas.
"You came back."
Daniel's expression softened instantly.
"Hey, troublemaker."
"Are bad people after Mom?"
Neither of us answered.
Lily crossed her arms.
"I'm eleven, not stupid."
Daniel crouched.
"Someone is trying to scare your mother."
"Are you going to stop him?"
"Yes."
"Promise?"
Daniel hesitated.
Then:
"I promise."
Lily studied him.
"Okay."
She went upstairs.
I stared at him.
"You shouldn't promise children things you can't guarantee."
"I don't."
"Daniel."
"I'll stop Victor."
"How?"
His phone rang.
He answered.
"What?"
His face changed.
"When?"
He listened.
Then looked directly at me.
"Send it."
"What happened?" I asked.
Daniel turned his phone around.
A photograph appeared.
Me.
Leaving work.
Another.
Lily outside school.
Another.
Our house.
My stomach twisted.
"Who took those?"
"Victor's people."
"Why?"
Daniel enlarged the final photograph.
A man stood behind my car.
"What is he doing?"
Daniel's expression became ice.
May you like
"Something that means neither you nor Lily is staying here tonight."
---
