Chapter 4 - The Name Inside the System
The name was Victor Salerno.
Gabriel stared at the report.
Victor had worked beside him for eighteen years.
He knew every safe house.
Every security protocol.
He had attended Claire and Sophie’s christening.
Marcus stood opposite the desk.
“He claims his credentials were stolen.”
“Do you believe him?”
“No.”
“Neither do I.”
A knock interrupted them.
Hannah entered carrying Claire.
“You wanted to see me?”
Gabriel looked at Marcus.
“Leave us.”
Marcus departed.
Hannah placed Claire on the rug.
Claire immediately reached for Gabriel.
“Daddy.”
He lifted her.
“You’re supposed to be practicing.”
Claire shook her head.
“Break.”
“Convenient.”
Hannah smiled.
Gabriel’s expression remained serious.
“Has anyone approached you since you started working here?”
“No.”
“Called you?”
“No.”
“Asked questions about Claire?”
Hannah hesitated.
Gabriel caught it.
“Who?”
“A man outside the grocery store.”
“When?”
“Four days ago.”
Gabriel stood.
“What did he look like?”
“Mid-fifties. Gray coat.”
“What did he say?”
“He asked whether I worked for you.”
“And you didn’t tell me?”
“I thought he was a reporter.”
“What else?”
“He asked whether Claire was improving.”
Gabriel’s face changed.
Hannah noticed.
“You know him.”
Gabriel pulled out his phone and showed her Victor’s photograph.
“That’s him.”
The room went silent.
Gabriel called Marcus.
“Bring Victor in.”
Hannah heard enough.
“What does he want?”
“I don’t know.”
“That’s not true.”
Gabriel looked at Claire in his arms.
Then at Hannah.
“He may believe Claire makes me vulnerable.”
“She’s three.”
“In my world, that doesn’t matter.”
Hannah’s face filled with disgust.
“Then your world is pathetic.”
Gabriel almost smiled.
“You have an impressive talent for insulting dangerous people.”
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
He set Claire down.
“You’re leaving.”
Hannah froze.
“What?”
“A car will take you and the girls somewhere safe.”
“No.”
“This isn’t negotiable.”
“It absolutely is.”
“Hannah.”
“Claire is finally developing confidence. You suddenly move her to some bunker surrounded by armed strangers, what do you think happens?”
“She remains alive.”
“And terrified.”
“I prefer terrified to dead.”
The words silenced the room.
Claire stared at him.
Gabriel immediately regretted them.
Hannah crouched.
“Claire, sweetheart, go find Sophie.”
Claire hurried away.
When she was gone, Hannah turned.
“Never say that in front of her again.”
Gabriel’s jaw tightened.
“You’re forgetting who you work for.”
“No.”
She stepped toward him.
“I’m remembering who I work for.”
She pointed toward the doorway Claire had disappeared through.
“Her.”
Gabriel stared at her.
“You hired me to take care of your daughters.”
“Yes.”
“Then let me.”
A long silence passed.
“What do you suggest?”
“Don’t make them run from something they don’t understand.”
“And security?”
“Bring security here.”
“That makes the estate a target.”
“It already is.”
Gabriel studied her.
Again, she was right.
He hated how often that happened.
That evening, Victor arrived.
He entered Gabriel’s office smiling.
“You wanted me?”
Gabriel sat behind the desk.
Marcus stood nearby.
Hannah watched from the hallway.
Gabriel slid a photograph across the desk.
Victor’s smile vanished.
“Recognize her?”
“No.”
“Hannah Mercer.”
Victor looked toward the door.
For half a second, his eyes met Hannah’s.
Gabriel saw it.
Victor knew her.
“Why were you following my employee?”
Victor leaned back.
“I wasn’t.”
“You approached her.”
“I talk to people.”
“You remotely accessed my daughter’s camera.”
Victor’s face hardened.
“You’ve become soft, Gabriel.”
Marcus reached toward his jacket.
Gabriel raised one hand.
Victor continued.
“Three years ago, nobody would have questioned you.”
“Get to your point.”
“You’re leaving meetings.”
Victor laughed.
“For bedtime.”
Gabriel remained still.
“You canceled a negotiation because your daughter took five steps.”
Hannah watched Gabriel’s face.
Victor leaned forward.
“Everyone sees it.”
“Sees what?”
“Your weakness.”
Gabriel stood.
Victor smiled.
Gabriel walked around the desk.
Then stopped directly in front of him.
“You misunderstand something.”
Victor’s smile faded.
“My daughters aren’t my weakness.”
Gabriel glanced toward Hannah.
“They’re the reason I finally understand what strength is for.”
Victor’s expression changed.
Gabriel opened the office door.
“Marcus.”
“Yes?”
“Victor no longer works for me.”
Victor laughed.
“That’s it?”
Gabriel looked at him.
“That’s it.”
Marcus escorted Victor outside.
No violence.
No shouting.
No revenge.
Just exile from everything Victor had spent eighteen years helping build.
Hannah approached Gabriel.
“You surprised me.”
“Disappointed?”
“Relieved.”
Gabriel looked toward the driveway.
“I spent twenty years believing fear created loyalty.”
“And now?”
Gabriel looked upstairs, where his daughters were laughing.
“Now I know what fear creates.”
“What?”
“People waiting for you to become weak.”
Hannah nodded.
“And love?”
May you like
Gabriel’s eyes met hers.
“I’m still learning.”
