Chapter 5 - UNIT 218
Ruiz opened the storage unit with two officers behind her.
Inside were a folding chair, a black duffel, Claire's passport, six thousand dollars, and two sweaters sealed in plastic. It looked less like abandoned property than an escape plan interrupted mid-breath.
Noah found a silver compass necklace in the duffel. Claire had worn it since college.
“She never took this off.”
A metal lockbox sat in the corner. Inside was a digital recorder with no memory card.
“Someone beat us here,” Ruiz said.
An officer called from the rear corridor. The fire exit stood open. Fresh tires had cut the rain-soaked gravel, and blue paint marked the steel frame.
Daniel's phone buzzed. An email from Claire's account appeared.
Subject: YOU STILL DON'T LISTEN.
Daniel, Marcus is going to kill you too.
Dr. Marcus Hale had been Daniel's father's physician. He was now vice chairman of Carter Meridian.
Ruiz read the message. “Someone wants you looking at Hale.”
“Maybe Claire does.”
May you like
“Or maybe the person who killed her does.”
Outside, through the veil of rain, the blue sedan waited at the end of the road.
