Chapter 6 - CLAIRE’S DIRTY COP
Natalie recognized the officer.
Detective Victor Hale.
Adrian called a contact in the Chicago Police Department.
The answer came quickly.
Hale had retired eighteen months earlier.
And disappeared.
No forwarding address.
No pension withdrawals.
No tax filings.
Like a ghost.
But Marcus found something.
A toll-camera record tied to Hale’s old pickup.
Forty minutes north.
Near an abandoned greenhouse owned by the Westwood Foundation.
Rachel grabbed her coat.
“I’m going.”
“No.”
“That’s my daughter.”
Adrian stared at her.
“Then you understand why I can’t let you walk into a trap.”
Rachel stepped closer.
“If Emma screams for me and I’m not there, I will never forgive myself.”
Adrian said nothing.
They went together.
Marcus drove.
Natalie stayed behind to watch Margaret and Caleb.
At the greenhouse, rain hammered broken glass.
Adrian entered first.
“Emma?”
A small cry.
“Mommy?”
Rachel ran.
“Emma!”
They found her tied to a chair.
Alive.
Rachel dropped to her knees.
“Oh, baby.”
Adrian cut the rope.
Then the lights turned on.
Victor Hale stood near the exit holding a gun.
Older now.
Heavier.
Still dangerous.
“Recorder.”
Adrian held it up.
“Tell me who killed Claire.”
Hale smiled.
“You already know.”
“Madison?”
“No.”
“Caleb?”
Hale laughed.
“You people still think this is about who touched the brakes.”
Adrian’s jaw tightened.
“Who?”
Hale looked at Rachel.
“Take the child and leave.”
Rachel backed away with Emma.
Adrian didn’t move.
“Who paid you?”
Hale raised the gun.
“Margaret Westwood paid me to call the crash an accident.”
Adrian felt the air leave his lungs.
“My mother?”
“But she didn’t order the murder.”
“Then who did?”
Hale’s smile vanished.
“The person Claire trusted most.”
A shot exploded.
Hale jerked backward.
Blood spread across his shirt.
Adrian dropped.
“DOWN!”
A second shot shattered glass.
Marcus fired toward the darkness.
The unseen shooter fled.
Adrian crawled to Hale.
“Who?”
Blood bubbled between Hale’s lips.
“Your…”
He coughed.
“Your brother…”
Adrian froze.
“Caleb?”
Hale grabbed his sleeve.
“No.”
His eyes widened.
“Your other brother.”
Then Victor Hale died.
Adrian stared at him.
Other brother?
He had only one brother.
Caleb.
His phone rang.
Natalie.
He answered.
Her voice came out as a whisper.
“Adrian…”
“What happened?”
“Your mother just told me something.”
A long silence.
“You weren’t your father’s only son.”
Adrian looked toward the dead detective.
Natalie continued.
“You have an older half brother.”
May you like
Adrian’s skin went cold.
“And Mom says Claire found him three years ago.”
