Chapter 10 - HAWTHORNE
Hawthorne Recovery Center had closed its public wing for the night.
The rear wing was still lit.
Ruiz wanted a tactical team.
Daniel called before they arrived.
“No police.”
“They’re already here.”
“Then Lily pays for it.”
I closed my eyes.
“What do you want?”
“You.”
“Why?”
“Come inside.”
Ruiz mouthed no.
I ignored her.
“I’ll come.”
Marcus grabbed my arm.
“Claire.”
“If there’s any chance he’ll release her—”
“He won’t.”
“I know.”
That surprised him.
I knew Daniel better now.
He never intended to let Lily walk away.
I was going inside to buy time.
Police fitted me with a microphone.
The signal died as soon as I entered the building.
Jammers.
Daniel had planned everything.
The corridor smelled like disinfectant.
Dr. Shaw stood at the far end.
“Claire.”
“You forged my medical records.”
He looked tired.
“This wasn’t supposed to become violent.”
“My daughter has a handprint on her face.”
“I didn’t do that.”
“You helped create everything that made it possible.”
He looked away.
“Where is she?”
He led me downstairs.
Daniel waited in a treatment room.
Margaret sat beside him.
Lily was strapped to a chair.
I lunged.
Daniel raised a syringe.
“One more step.”
I stopped.
“Let her go.”
Margaret smiled.
“You ruined a very expensive plan.”
“Sorry.”
“You should be.”
Daniel held up documents.
“The trust.”
“I don’t have it.”
“You found Unit 317.”
“Yes.”
Margaret’s expression finally changed.
Just slightly.
Fear.
I saw it.
“You’re finished,” I said.
Daniel laughed.
“Evidence disappears.”
“Thirty-one victims?”
“Thirty-one people with no idea who paid whom.”
“Michael recorded you.”
His smile weakened.
Margaret turned toward him.
“What recording?”
There.
A crack.
Daniel hadn’t told her everything.
Good.
I pushed.
“He recorded you threatening him.”
Margaret stood.
“You said there was no direct connection.”
Daniel snapped,
“Sit down.”
She stared at her son.
For the first time, they looked less like partners and more like predators fighting over food.
Lily watched them carefully.
Then she moved her foot.
Once.
Twice.
She was loosening the chair strap.
I kept talking.
“What happens now?”
Daniel placed paperwork on the table.
“You sign.”
“What?”
“A declaration transferring the Walker property into marital settlement.”
“We’re not married.”
He smiled.
“We don’t need to be.”
I stared.
Robert entered from a side door wearing a suit.
He held a certificate.
A marriage certificate.
With my name.
And Daniel’s.
Already signed.
Already filed.
My stomach dropped.
Daniel leaned close.
“Legally, Claire…”
May you like
He smiled.
“…you married me yesterday.”
