Chapter 6 - THE MAN WHO WALKED INTO THE WRONG HOUSE
Gabriel opened the door.
Derek Collins stood outside.
Perfect uniform.
Perfect posture.
Perfect smile.
The kind of smile people trusted.
“Mr. Ashford.”
“Officer Collins.”
Derek looked past him.
Trying to see inside.
“I’m just here to talk to my wife.”
Gabriel didn’t move.
“She doesn’t want to talk.”
Derek smiled.
“That’s usually what people say when someone is confused.”
Behind Gabriel, Harper stood completely still.
Derek noticed her.
His smile widened.
“There you are.”
Harper stepped back.
“Derek.”
The way she said his name told Gabriel everything.
Not anger.
Not hatred.
Fear.
Derek lowered his voice.
“Come home.”
Harper shook her head.
“No.”
A simple word.
But it took years for her to say it.
Derek looked surprised.
Then he laughed.
“Harper, don’t do this.”
“I’m not doing anything.”
“You’re making a mistake.”
“No.”
Her voice became stronger.
“I made a mistake when I believed you.”
The smile on Derek’s face disappeared for half a second.
Only half.
Then it returned.
“You see, Mr. Ashford?”
Derek looked at Gabriel.
“This is what I mean. She’s emotional.”
Gabriel stepped forward.
“Leave.”
Derek’s eyes narrowed.
“You don’t know what you’re getting involved in.”
Gabriel held his gaze.
“I know exactly what I’m involved in.”
“No, you don’t.”
Derek leaned closer.
“You’re protecting someone who lies.”
Harper’s hands clenched.
But before she could speak…
Noah appeared at the top of the stairs.
“Harper?”
Everyone froze.
Derek looked up.
And his expression changed.
The moment he saw Noah…
Gabriel saw something dark.
Not anger.
Not sadness.
Possession.
“There you are, buddy.”
Noah immediately moved behind Harper.
“I don’t want to go with him.”
Derek’s face tightened.
“He’s confused.”
Harper stepped between them.
“Don’t come near him.”
The words were quiet.
But powerful.
Derek looked at her.
“You’re really going to act brave now?”
Harper stared back.
“Yes.”
A long silence.
Then Derek smiled.
“Fine.”
He stepped away.
“You want to play this game?”
He looked at Gabriel.
“Let’s play.”
Derek walked back toward his car.
But before leaving, he turned one last time.
“Harper…”
She looked at him.
“I always find what belongs to me.”
The car disappeared down the driveway.
No one spoke.
Then Gabriel looked at Harper.
“That man is dangerous.”
Harper nodded.
“I know.”
“No.”
Gabriel looked toward the road.
“I don’t think you understand.”
He picked up the folder from his attorney.
“Because I just found out something.”
Harper looked at him.
“What?”
Gabriel opened the file.
His face became serious.
“Derek Collins isn’t only hiding what he did to you.”
“He’s hiding something much bigger.”
Harper stepped closer.
“What?”
Gabriel looked at the documents.
“He has been connected to several missing complaints.”
Harper felt cold.
“How many?”
May you like
Gabriel slowly answered:
“Seven.”
