Chapter 15 - Claire's Envelope
Victor refused to name the person until detectives arrived.
Then his story changed.
He claimed he had never seen Owen.
Mara knew fear when she saw it.
So did Daniel.
On the drive back, Claire called.
"I opened the second envelope."
Daniel had forgotten there were two.
"What does it say?"
Claire read aloud.
CLAIRE - IF I FAIL, MARA GETS THE KEY. NORA GETS THE TRUTH. YOU GET THE CHOICE.
Daniel gripped the steering wheel.
"What choice?"
Paper rustled.
"There's another page."
Claire went silent.
"Claire?"
"It's a DNA report."
Daniel felt the road disappear beneath him.
"Whose?"
"Yours."
Mara turned toward him.
Claire's voice broke.
"Daniel, Charles Mercer is not your biological father."
Daniel pulled over so hard the tires hit gravel.
Nobody spoke.
Claire continued.
"The other name is Everett Sloan."
Daniel stared through the windshield.
Every threat. Every payment. Every forged signature.
Every time Charles had said he was protecting him.
Mara whispered, "Everett is your father?"
Daniel laughed once, empty and stunned.
His phone buzzed.
UNKNOWN NUMBER.
A live video opened.
Owen sat tied to a chair.
A man's hand entered the frame.
On the finger was Everett Sloan's silver signet ring.
May you like
Then Everett's voice said:
"Come alone, son."
