Chapter 14 - Tape Two
Daniel did not invite Martin inside.
“Where did you get that?”
“Samuel mailed it to me.”
“Why?”
“Because he wants me afraid.”
Martin held out the cassette.
“I’m done being afraid.”
They played it in the kitchen while police waited outside.
Laura’s voice came through immediately.
“The man in the stairwell was Samuel Price.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
“I saw him set the fire. Robert tried to stop him. Martin pulled Daniel out.”
Martin looked at the floor.
Laura continued.
“Robert wants me hidden because Samuel will kill Daniel if I testify. But Robert also wants the fraud buried. I don’t know where protection ends and control begins anymore.”
That sentence silenced everyone.
Then another voice entered the tape.
Robert.
“Laura, if I release you now, Samuel finds Daniel.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I know what he threatened.”
“You’re still choosing for me.”
“Yes.”
A slap sounded on the recording.
Emma flinched.
Laura’s voice shook. “You don’t get to call a cage protection.”
The tape ended.
Daniel stared at Martin.
“You signed her commitment papers.”
Martin nodded.
“I did.”
“Why?”
“Because Samuel said you were next.”
“That excuse is getting old.”
“I know.”
Martin reached into his jacket and placed a folded map on the table.
“Samuel knows about the Michigan farm.”
Rachel stood.
“How?”
“He followed Robert there years ago.”
Daniel grabbed his keys.
Emma grabbed her coat.
“No.”
“Dad.”
“You stay with Rachel.”
Rachel shook her head. “We go together or we waste time fighting.”
Martin pointed at a red mark on the map.
“There’s a second road into the property.”
Daniel looked at him.
“How do you know?”
Martin swallowed.
“Because I drove Laura there.”
Then his phone buzzed.
May you like
A photograph appeared.
The Michigan farmhouse was on fire.
