Chapter 5 - The Wrong Target
Clare made a sound Dominic would remember for years.
Not a scream.
Something quieter.
The sound a parent makes when fear goes past panic and becomes instinct.
She dropped to her knees and pulled Ellie into her arms.
"We're leaving."
Vincent blocked the door. "No."
"Move."
"Mrs. Rowan—"
"Move!"
Dominic stepped between them.
"Clare. Outside this estate, I can't control who follows you. Here, I can."
Her eyes flashed. "Your people are the reason this is happening."
The words hit harder than she intended.
Dominic let them.
"You're right."
That stopped her.
"Someone inside my house dragged you and your child into my problem. So until I know who, your safety is my responsibility."
Clare's breathing slowed, but only slightly.
"I don't want your responsibility. I want my daughter safe."
"Then want the same thing I do."
Dominic turned to Vincent. "Move them to the library suite. Two guards outside, one inside the hall. Guards Clare chooses from faces she knows."
"And no cameras in the bedroom," Clare said.
"Agreed."
Ellie tugged Dominic's sleeve.
"The man had a ring."
Everyone looked down.
"What ring?" Dominic asked.
Ellie held up her toy and tapped a brass circle. "A bird."
Arthur wore a signet ring engraved with a hawk.
He had worn it since Dominic was twenty-eight.
Vincent's eyes met Dominic's.
It was not proof.
But it was not nothing.
They returned to the conference room.
Arthur sat alone at the walnut table, hands folded.
The other councilmen had moved to the far side of the room, suddenly less interested in standing near him.
Dominic sat across from Arthur.
"A car burned."
Arthur raised his eyebrows. "I heard the alarm."
"A threatening phone was planted on my housekeeper."
"Unfortunate."
"A bug was hidden in her room."
Arthur leaned back. "You seem to be collecting drama tonight."
Dominic's gaze dropped to Arthur's right hand.
The hawk ring was missing.
"Where's your ring?"
For the first time, Arthur's composure slipped.
Only for a second.
"At home."
"You wear it every day."
"Not every day."
Dominic smiled without warmth. "You wore it at lunch."
Arthur's eyes narrowed. "You have become suspicious of jewelry now?"
"Only when a child remembers it."
Arthur said nothing.
Vincent entered.
"We found Angela's car."
Mercer stood. "Where?"
"On the shoulder near North Avenue. Driver's door open. Purse inside. Phone smashed on the pavement."
Dominic's fingers tightened around his cane.
"Angela?"
Vincent's voice went hard.
"Gone."
May you like
Arthur looked toward the rain-dark windows.
And Dominic noticed a faint scratch on his bare ring finger, fresh enough to be red.
