Chapter 16 - Rachel's Secret
March fourteenth was the night Daniel had been in Norfolk.
Rachel sat at the dining table, hands trembling.
"Claire called me around ten," she said. "She was crying. She said she'd made a terrible mistake."
"What mistake?"
"She said Evan introduced her to someone who wanted information about a contract. She said she had given them copies of harmless documents and then realized they were using her."
Daniel stared at her.
"And you didn't tell me?"
"She begged me not to. She said if you knew, your career could be damaged even though you had done nothing wrong."
"So you protected her?"
Rachel's eyes filled.
"I thought I was protecting you."
Daniel stood and walked away from the table.
"Everyone keeps deciding what I can survive."
"Daniel—"
"Did you know about the kids?"
"No. I swear. If I had known that, I would have told you immediately."
Agent Kim asked, "Did Claire give you anything?"
Rachel hesitated.
"A key."
She retrieved it from a locked jewelry box in her bedroom.
It was a small brass key with the number 214 engraved on one side.
"She told me if anything happened to her, I should give it to Daniel."
"You kept this for seven months?" Daniel asked.
Rachel looked ashamed.
"Yes."
The key belonged to a private storage facility fifteen miles away.
Unit 214 was rented under a false name but paid for with one of Claire's cards.
Inside were three boxes.
The first held cash.
The second held copies of emails and contracts.
The third held letters.
One was addressed to Daniel.
His name was written in Claire's handwriting.
He opened it with Agent Kim present.
Daniel,
If you are reading this, then something went wrong. I told myself I could control Victor. I told myself I was only taking money from a rich man who deserved to lose. Then Evan wanted more. Victor wanted more. And I started needing you distracted.
Daniel stopped reading.
May you like
The next line made his blood run cold.
The children were never supposed to get hurt.
