Chapter 4 - The Man in the SUV

The SUV stopped beside the fountain.

My younger brother, Daniel, stepped out.

Vanessa exhaled.

Not with relief.

With dread.

Daniel had spent the last year running the European side of Mercer Holdings. He wasn't supposed to be in California.

"What is he doing here?" I asked.

Vanessa didn't answer.

I went outside.

Daniel smiled as if this were any other family visit. "Surprise."

"You flew eleven hours to surprise me?"

"Vanessa called. Said you came home upset."

I looked at her.

She shook her head once.

Daniel noticed.

"What's going on?"

"Claire is alive."

His smile vanished.

A fraction too late.

"What?"

"You heard me."

"That's impossible."

"Funny. Vanessa said the same thing without sounding surprised."

Daniel stepped closer. "Ethan, you look exhausted. Maybe we should talk inside."

"Maybe you should tell me why Claire wrote that Vanessa knows she has proof."

His eyes sharpened.

There it was.

Recognition.

I backed away.

"You know too."

"I know you're angry."

"That's not an answer."

Behind me, Owen came through the patio doors.

"Sir, we have a problem."

"What?"

"The security archive from the last six months has been wiped."

I looked at Daniel.

He looked at Vanessa.

Vanessa whispered, "I didn't do that."

"Who has administrator access?" I asked Owen.

"You. Me. Mrs. Mercer. And Daniel."

Daniel spread his hands. "This is ridiculous."

Then Sophie's scream came from inside the house.

I ran.

My office door was open.

The window behind the desk was shattered.

Sophie was gone.

On the carpet lay the pillow she'd been holding.

Under it was a note written in thick black marker.

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STOP DIGGING OR YOU LOSE HER TOO.