Chapter 4 - THE DEAD MAN’S PHONE
Gabriel didn’t speak during the drive.
Neither did Claire.
Vincent Kane had practically raised Gabriel after his father died.
He had taught Gabriel how to negotiate.
How to spot a lie.
How to survive.
Accusing Vincent without proof was unthinkable.
Ignoring the accusation was worse.
Gabriel relocated Claire and Eli to a private estate north of the city.
No staff.
No announced destination.
Only Mason and four guards Gabriel had personally known for years.
Claire stood at the bedroom window after midnight.
Gabriel appeared behind her.
“You should sleep.”
Claire laughed quietly.
“You keep saying that.”
“You look like you’re about to fall over.”
“I’m afraid if I close my eyes, somebody will take him again.”
Gabriel looked toward the crib.
“I won’t let that happen.”
Claire turned.
“You couldn’t stop it the first time.”
The words hit hard.
“I know.”
She immediately regretted them.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.”
He stepped beside her.
“You’re right.”
Claire studied him.
Most powerful men hated being told they had failed.
Gabriel carried failure like a knife pointed inward.
She understood then why he frightened everyone.
He demanded more from himself than he demanded from anyone else.
Gabriel looked at her bruised cheek.
“Let me see your wrist.”
“I’m fine.”
“That wasn’t a question.”
Claire raised an eyebrow.
“That tone probably works on armed men.”
“It usually does.”
“It doesn’t work on accountants.”
For the first time, Gabriel almost smiled.
Claire reluctantly held out her arm.
His fingers were surprisingly gentle.
“Whoever did this knew what he was looking for.”
“The ring.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t they take it?”
Claire lifted the chain.
“I wasn’t wearing it.”
“Where was it?”
“Sewn inside my purse.”
Gabriel looked impressed despite himself.
“Nathan taught me paranoia.”
“He was always good at that.”
A phone buzzed.
Claire froze.
Her phone was on the dresser.
The screen lit.
UNKNOWN NUMBER.
She picked it up.
One message.
YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO RUN.
Gabriel took the phone.
“Who has this number?”
“Work. Family. A few friends.”
A second message arrived.
NATHAN DIED BECAUSE YOU DIDN’T LISTEN.
Claire’s face drained of color.
Then a photo appeared.
Nathan.
Taken three days before his death.
He was walking out of Claire’s office.
On the back of the photograph, visible through the image, someone had written:
SHE STILL HAS IT.
Gabriel’s eyes hardened.
“Someone’s been watching you for eleven months.”
Claire whispered, “Gabriel…”
Another message arrived.
This one came from a saved contact.
Claire nearly dropped the phone.
The name on the screen was impossible.
NATHAN KANE.
Gabriel stared.
Nathan’s phone had been destroyed in the crash.
The message contained only six words.
THE RING IS NOT THE EVIDENCE.
Gabriel slowly looked at Claire.
Claire looked down at the black signet ring around her neck.
And suddenly they both understood.
May you like
Whatever Nathan had died protecting…
was still hidden somewhere else.
