Chương 15
“Why would that identify a location?”
Claire covered her mouth.
“Maya’s office,” she said. “The framed moon in the conference room. Leah kept looking at it when we signed the papers.”
Delgado called Maya.
Maya denied having the drive again, then became quiet when Claire mentioned the song.
The drive had been placed in a safe-deposit box opened under Maya’s firm. Leah had chosen the box number using Nora’s birth date. Maya’s outside counsel held the second access credential.
Daniel had apparently understood the clue.
“So he knows where it is,” Ethan said.
“He knows the institution,” Delgado replied. “He cannot access it easily.”
“Unless he impersonates me.”
Everyone looked at him.
Daniel knew Ethan’s identity details. Their faces were nearly indistinguishable. If he had copied Ethan’s license or military identification, he might persuade a hurried employee long enough to create trouble.
Delgado made calls.
The bank confirmed that a man using Ethan’s name had attempted access that morning. An employee became suspicious because the signature differed from the account authorization. The man left before security arrived.
“He used my name,” Ethan said.
Claire touched his arm.
For the first time since he returned, he did not pull away.
The failed bank attempt changed the investigation.
Daniel was now actively impersonating Ethan. Ethan’s accounts were flagged. His security clearance review was reopened. His return to duty was postponed.
A clerk at the base pharmacy refused to release a routine prescription because his identity required verification. Ethan stood at the counter while strangers watched.
He called Delgado from the parking lot.
“My brother steals my name, and I lose access to my medication.”
“It is temporary.”
“It is humiliating.”
“I know.”
“No, you don’t.”
Delgado paused.
“My sister used my identity for credit cards when I was twenty-four.”
Ethan looked at the phone.
“I didn’t know that.”
“You are not the only person with a difficult sibling.”
“Did she pretend to die?”
“No. She ruined my credit and came to Thanksgiving.”
Despite himself, Ethan laughed.
Delgado said, “Daniel’s pressure is increasing. That makes him more dangerous and more likely to make mistakes.”
“He’ll come for Nora.”
“Possibly.”
“He already tried the bank. He has no leverage left.”
“He has you.”
The sentence stayed with Ethan.
That evening, he told Claire he intended to contact Daniel and offer a meeting.
“No,” she said.
“He will not stop.”
“Then let Delgado find him.”
“He knows how to disappear.”
“He failed at a bank this morning.”
“He was desperate.”
“That is not comforting.”
“I can make him believe I have access to the drive.”
“And then?”
“He comes to a controlled location.”
“He sees police and runs.”
“Then he runs without knowing where we are.”
Claire folded a baby blanket with unnecessary force.
“You want to fix him.”
“I want to end this.”
“You want to be the brother who finally makes Daniel tell the truth.”
“Maybe.”
“He won’t do it for you.”
“He might do it for Nora.”
Claire stopped folding.
“You are using her as bait.”
“I’m not bringing her.”
“You are using the idea of her.”
“He is already using her.”
“That does not make it right.”
“No. It makes it available.”
Claire stared at him.
“That sounds like Daniel.”
The accusation struck because it was accurate.
Ethan sat down.
Nora slept in the crib near the kitchen wall.
“I don’t know how else to reach him.”
“You don’t have to reach him.”
“He is my brother.”
“He stopped being your responsibility when he chose to stay dead.”
“That is not how brothers work.”
“How do they work?”
Ethan had no answer that did not sound childish.
They fought quietly for an hour because Nora was asleep.
At the end, Claire said, “If you do this without telling Delgado, I will leave.”
“Leave the rental?”
“Leave you.”
The words did not rise. They settled.
Ethan looked at her.
“Do you mean that?”
“Yes.”
He believed her.
The next morning, he told Delgado everything.
She objected to direct contact but agreed that a controlled message might expose Daniel’s location. The operation required preparation, legal approval, and patience.
Daniel did not give them patience.
At four seventeen that afternoon, the investigator outside the rental knocked twice and entered.
“The rear camera went down.”
Ethan stood.
“Equipment failure?”
“Unknown. We’re moving you.”
Claire lifted Nora.
The lights went out.
Not only the rental. Through the window, the neighboring houses went dark too.
A transformer had failed three blocks away.
The coincidence was real and useless, but fear did not care.
The investigator moved them toward the garage.
A car alarm began sounding outside.
Then Ethan’s phone rang.
Daniel.
Delgado had instructed him to answer any call.
“Where is my daughter?” Daniel asked.
“Safe.”
“Not there.”
Ethan looked toward Claire.
“You know where we are?”
“I know where you were.”
“Did you cut the camera?”
“No.”
“Then why call now?”
“Because Hale found the rental.”
The investigator spoke into his radio.
“How?” Ethan asked.
“Your mother.”
Ethan’s stomach dropped.
“What did you do to her?”
“Nothing. She posted a photograph from a gas station near the exit she took after visiting you. Hale traced the route and watched agency vehicles.”
“That doesn’t give him the house.”
“He followed Delgado.”
The investigator looked sharply at Ethan.
“Where is Hale now?” Ethan asked.
“Two streets over in a gray pickup.”
A voice sounded through the investigator’s radio. Officers were checking vehicles.
“Daniel, turn yourself in.”
“Give me Nora.”
“No.”
“I can keep her hidden.”
“That is the last thing she needs.”
“You think your system keeps children safe?”
“I think running with you won’t.”
“She’s mine.”
“You have not earned the right to say that.”
Daniel went silent.
Then he said, “Neither have you.”
The call ended.
May you like
Police found the gray pickup abandoned. Inside were photographs of the Cole house, Maya’s office, and the bank. Curtis Hale was not present.
Investigators moved Ethan, Claire, and Nora to a hotel near a government facility. The room had two beds and no crib. Ethan assembled the portable one at midnight while Claire sat on the carpet feeding Nora.
