Chapter 19 - The Last Threat
For two days Rachel and Lily stayed in a protected location arranged through investigators. Daniel slept little and answered every call on the first ring.
The state police secured warrants for financial records and searched the Harbor House offices. Pike's attorney denied every allegation. Robert's lawyer began discussing cooperation.
Then a message appeared on Daniel's phone from an unknown number.
YOUR DAUGHTER WAS VERY BRAVE AT THE POOL. ASK HER HOW BRAVE SHE FEELS NOW.
A photograph followed. It showed the outside of Lily's school, taken that morning.
Once the phone had been traced, Daniel was told not to go looking for anyone himself. Every part of him wanted to drive straight to the cabin. He had keys in his hand before Grace reminded him that a confrontation could jeopardize the case and put Lily at greater risk. He set the keys down. Rachel sent a photograph of Lily making a paper crown for her fox. It was crooked, bright and perfect. Daniel stared at it until his breathing slowed. This was what staying home meant: refusing the dramatic gesture in favor of the decision that gave his child the best chance to be safe. He made dinner, though he could barely swallow it, and waited for the call.
Daniel forwarded the message to investigators without replying. The school confirmed Lily had not attended that day. She was safe with Rachel.
Within hours state police traced the image to a phone associated with a former Harbor House transport employee. His location data placed him near Pike's vacation cabin.
Investigators arrived at the cabin after dark. The employee surrendered. Pike ran through the rear door and was arrested in the woods after a brief chase. Nobody was injured.
Maya called Daniel herself.
"He's in custody," she said. "We have the phone, and the search team found financial records at the cabin."
Daniel leaned against his kitchen counter and closed his eyes.
He drove to Rachel's place the following morning. Lily ran into his arms.
"Is the bad man gone?" she asked.
"The man who frightened us has been arrested. The grown-ups are working to keep everyone safe."
Lily touched the thin healing scrape on his forehead.
May you like
"Can we go swimming again someday?"
Daniel looked out at the bright morning and realized the question frightened him more than the threats had.
