Chapter 17 - Ten Minutes
Claire called Owen.
No answer.
Nathan called the police team stationed at Claire’s house.
Nobody picked up.
Rachel was already issuing orders.
“How did they get him?”
Claire’s hands went numb.
Owen had stayed with Nathan’s associate in New York after the evidence transfer.
He was supposed to be safe.
Then Claire remembered.
Daniel knew everyone’s routines.
He had been inside their family for nine years.
He did not need to break security.
He knew how security worked.
The bank request timer counted down.
09:21.
Claire opened Daniel’s message thread.
WHERE IS HE?
A reply came immediately.
Approve the transfer.
Claire typed:
LET ME SEE HIM LIVE.
Video call.
Daniel answered.
His face filled the screen.
He was in a concrete room.
A bruise darkened his jaw.
Behind him, Owen sat tied to a chair.
Alive.
Furious.
“Claire, don’t do it,” Owen shouted.
Daniel muted him.
“Approve the request.”
Claire stared at her husband.
“You look terrible.”
He almost smiled.
“Long night.”
“You drugged my wine.”
“I needed you compliant.”
“You tried to steal my legal authority.”
“I needed time.”
“You kidnapped Maria.”
“I needed the evidence.”
“You took my brother.”
Daniel’s expression hardened.
“I need the account.”
“Three hundred twelve million isn’t enough?”
His eyes changed.
So Peter was right.
Claire continued.
“You stole from the people you were working for.”
Daniel looked off-camera.
“Who told you?”
“Your old friend Peter.”
He laughed.
“Peter has never been anyone’s friend.”
08:12.
Claire said, “If I approve the transfer, you kill Owen.”
“No.”
“You expect me to trust you?”
“No.”
The next minutes moved fast, and every answer only exposed a deeper part of Daniel’s plan.
“You were kind to me.”
She closed her eyes.
“You should have stayed away.”
“I tried.”
“No. You married me.”
“I loved you.”
“You still drugged my glass.”
His face hardened again.
“Approve the transfer.”
04:40.
Claire looked at Rachel.
Rachel pointed to a map.
Three possible industrial sites near active rail lines.
Teams were moving.
Claire stalled.
“Tell me what happened to my mother.”
Daniel’s eyes lifted.
And the timer stopped.
Not paused.
May you like
Stopped.
He whispered, “Your mother is alive.”
