Chapter 8 - The Door That Stayed Locked
June checked the lock.
Luis, already on his way with groceries, pulled in behind the SUV and stayed in his van.
Mark stepped out.
He looked annoyed rather than dangerous, which somehow made Émilie more frightened.
Men like him didn’t have to raise their voices often.
Daniel rolled toward the entryway.
June blocked him.
“You can speak through the door.”
Mark knocked.
“Daniel. We need to clear this up.”
“Elena Price represents me,” Daniel said. “Call her.”
“This has gotten ridiculous.”
“Then call her.”
Mark looked toward the living room window.
“Émilie shouldn’t be dragging my daughter into your dispute.”
Daniel’s voice changed.
“Don’t say my daughter’s name like she did something wrong.”
“I’m trying to keep children out of adult problems.”
“You came to my house.”
A curtain moved next door.
Mark noticed.
So did June.
She raised her phone, openly recording from inside.
“Please leave our property.”
For a moment, Mark stood motionless.
Then he lowered his voice.
“That ramp outside? The transportation fund? Your therapy grant? People helped you because they believed in you.”
Daniel stared through the narrow glass panel.
“They helped me because I was hurt.”
“Don’t make them regret it.”
Luis stepped out of the van.
“Everything okay here?”
Mark turned.
The smile returned, thin and automatic.
“Fine.”
He walked back to his SUV.
Only after he drove away did June let out the breath she had been holding.
Daniel pressed his palms against his legs.
Émilie crouched beside him.
“Did he pay for all of it?”
“Some.”
“Can he take it away?”
Daniel didn’t answer fast enough.
At four that afternoon, the rehabilitation center called.
The foundation’s transportation assistance had been suspended pending review.
Owen called twenty minutes later.
“Your treatment isn’t canceled,” he said. “We’re working on a ride.”
Daniel thanked him, then ended the call and sat very still.
Émilie wanted to say something brave.
Instead, she asked, “Are we going to lose the house?”
He reached for her.
Before he could answer, Elena called.
The investigators had contacted the property owner and halted work around the dispatch office.
But when they arrived, the route cabinet was empty.
Someone had cleared it over the weekend.
May you like
There was one thing left behind.
A receipt from a document-storage company.
