Chương 16 - Apartment 4C
Victor Hale was handcuffed twenty minutes later when county deputies finally reached the lake house.
But Claire was still missing.
Ethan and Evelyn rode with Detective Ortiz back into the city.
Nobody spoke for the first ten miles.
Then Ethan said, “I should have told you everything.”
Evelyn looked out the window.
“Yes.”
“I thought knowing less made you safer.”
“It made me easier to manipulate.”
He nodded once.
“I know.”
She turned toward him.
“Do you still love Claire?”
The question had been sitting between them all night.
Ethan answered carefully. “I care about her. I will always care if she is alive or dead.”
“That isn't what I asked.”
“No. I don't love her the way I love you.”
Evelyn studied his face.
For the first time, she did not feel desperate for the answer.
Maybe because too much had happened for romance to be the biggest problem in the room.
The building on Wabash was a converted warehouse.
Police entered Apartment 4C at 8:12 p.m.
Claire was inside, tied to a dining chair.
So was Officer Daniels.
He was not a prisoner.
He was holding a gun.
When police shouted, Daniels shoved Claire to the floor and ran toward the fire escape.
Ethan started after him.
Ortiz grabbed his coat.
“Police will handle it.”
Ethan stopped.
Claire looked up from the floor.
Her eyes found Evelyn.
For one second, neither woman moved.
Then Evelyn crossed the room and untied her.
Claire's hands were bruised from the rope.
She flexed her fingers.
“Did you give Victor the card?”
“No.”
“Good.”
Evelyn almost laughed. “You are unbelievable.”
Claire smiled weakly. “I've heard that.”
Police caught Daniels on the third-floor landing.
Inside the apartment, they found burner phones, cash, and a printed list of foundation employees.
Evelyn's name was highlighted.
So was Martin Shaw's.
And one more name.
Ethan Cole.
Beside Ethan's name was a date.
Tomorrow.
Claire stared at it.
“What happens tomorrow?”
Ethan went pale.
He took out his phone.
“My deposition.”
Evelyn frowned. “For what?”
He looked at her.
“The federal grand jury investigating Halston.”
Claire whispered, “Victor knew you were testifying.”
Ethan nodded.
Ortiz's phone rang.
She listened for ten seconds.
May you like
Then looked at them.
“Martin Shaw has disappeared.”
