Chapter 7 - THE SEVEN WOMEN WHO DISAPPEARED
Harper stared at the folder in Gabriel’s hands.
Seven.
The number kept echoing in her mind.
“Seven what?”
Gabriel didn’t answer immediately.
He knew whatever he said next would change the way she saw everything.
“Seven women,” he finally said.
Harper’s face went pale.
“Women who filed complaints against Derek.”
The room became silent.
Noah was upstairs.
Safe.
At least for now.
Gabriel opened the file carefully.
“Most of the complaints never went anywhere.”
“Because they withdrew them?”
“Yes.”
Harper looked down.
“Because they were scared.”
Gabriel nodded.
“That’s what it looks like.”
She walked away from the table.
Her hands moved nervously.
“I should have known.”
Gabriel looked at her.
“Harper.”
“I should have seen it.”
“No.”
She shook her head.
“He always told me I was the problem. That I was too sensitive. Too emotional. Too difficult.”
Her voice cracked.
“I started believing him.”
Gabriel stepped closer.
“People like Derek don’t start by hurting you.”
Harper looked at him.
“They start by making you doubt yourself.”
That sentence stayed between them.
Because it was exactly what Derek had done.
That night, Gabriel’s attorney brought more information.
“There’s something else.”
Gabriel looked up.
“What?”
“Derek’s records were protected.”
“Protected?”
“Yes. Someone inside the department helped keep complaints quiet.”
Harper’s stomach dropped.
“Someone helped him?”
The attorney nodded.
“That’s why the complaints disappeared.”
Gabriel looked serious.
“Can we prove it?”
“Not yet.”
Harper laughed softly.
A tired, broken sound.
“So even when we tell the truth, he still wins.”
Gabriel looked at her.
“No.”
She looked up.
“This time, he doesn’t.”
The next morning, Harper made a decision.
“I want to go to the police.”
Gabriel looked surprised.
“You’re sure?”
“No.”
She admitted it.
“I’m terrified.”
Her fingers shook.
“But I’m more terrified of Noah growing up thinking this is normal.”
Gabriel nodded.
“Then we do it the right way.”
Before they could leave…
Gabriel’s phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
A woman’s voice came through.
Soft.
Scared.
“Is this Gabriel Ashford?”
“Yes.”
“My name is Rachel.”
Gabriel looked at Harper.
The woman continued.
“I heard you’re helping Harper Lane.”
Harper froze.
“How does she know?”
Gabriel put the call on speaker.
Rachel whispered:
“Because Derek did the same thing to me.”
Silence.
Harper covered her mouth.
“Who are you?”
The woman took a shaky breath.
“I was his first wife.”
Harper felt the world stop.
Derek had never told her he was married before.
Rachel continued:
“And Harper…”
Her voice trembled.
“He’s coming for you because you know something he’s afraid of.”
Gabriel frowned.
“What?”
A pause.
Then Rachel said:
May you like
“Derek didn’t just hurt women.”
“He made them disappear.”
