Chapter 11 - What Adrian Did Eight Months Ago
They moved into an abandoned judge’s chambers upstairs while police searched the basement.
Father Michael’s wound was bandaged.
Lena sat beside Cross, Mia asleep against her side.
Claire stood near the window with Noah.
Adrian approached slowly.
“We have forty-seven minutes.”
Claire didn’t look at him. “Then talk fast.”
He nodded.
“Eight months ago, I discovered Shaw was selling Lantern identities through Mercer Biometric Systems. I copied the proof and took it to Helen Ward.”
“You could have told me.”
“If Shaw knew you mattered to me, you became leverage.”
“I was your wife. She already knew I mattered.”
“I thought if I disappeared completely, she’d believe I was dead and leave you alone.”
Claire turned on him. “I was pregnant.”
His face broke.
“I didn’t know.”
“I called you seventeen times the week I found out.”
“I know.”
“You know?”
“I listened to every voicemail after I came out of deep cover.”
Her eyes filled. “And you still didn’t call?”
“I was in a safe house with no outgoing contact. By the time I could leave, Cross had found evidence Shaw was watching you.”
Claire looked toward Cross.
He didn’t deny it.
Adrian continued. “I came home tonight because we thought the watch had ended.”
Claire laughed once, sharp and painful. “Amazing timing.”
“I was wrong.”
“Yes.”
“I know.”
No excuses.
That made it harder to stay angry.
Claire looked down at Noah.
“Were you ever Adrian Vale?”
“Yes.”
“Was that your real name?”
He hesitated.
“Adrian Michael Voss. Vale was my mother’s maiden name. I used it after Lantern recruited me.”
“Were you ever an insurance investigator?”
“For three weeks.”
She stared.
He almost smiled. “I was bad at it.”
Claire’s eyes burned.
“I don’t know what part of our marriage was real.”
Adrian stepped closer but didn’t touch her.
“The part where I loved you.”
She hated how much she believed him.
Before she could answer, Lena stood.
“Shaw won’t kill Lucas yet.”
Adrian turned. “Why?”
“Because Lucas is her insurance policy against you.”
Cross frowned. “Lucas works for Shaw.”
“No. Lucas has been playing both sides for years.”
Adrian stared at Lena.
She continued. “He’s the one who hid Mia. He’s the one who leaked Shaw’s hospital watch list. And he’s the one who told me you were still alive.”
Adrian’s voice dropped. “Why?”
Lena looked at him sadly.
“Because Lucas isn’t your brother.”
Claire blinked.
Adrian went completely still.
May you like
Lena finished quietly.
“He’s your father.”
