Chapter 5 - They Were Watching Sophie
Rachel called 911.
Daniel told her not to.
That made her call faster.
“What exactly are you afraid the police will find?” she demanded.
“Nothing.”
“Then stop trying to control me.”
Sophie sat on Rachel’s bed with an ice pack against her cheek while Lily cried downstairs because Margaret had left without her.
It should have been an ordinary family disaster.
Instead a stranger had photographed Sophie sleeping.
Daniel stood at the window.
“We need to leave.”
Rachel stared at him.
“The police are coming.”
“We need to leave before they get here.”
“Why?”
Daniel turned.
“Because I don’t know which police officer is going to walk through that door.”
Rachel felt the room shrink.
“You think police are involved?”
“I think Claire did.”
“You keep giving me pieces.”
“Because the whole thing sounds insane.”
“Try me.”
Daniel looked toward Sophie.
Then he said, “Claire worked compliance for Arden Financial.”
Rachel knew the name.
Everyone in Chicago did.
A private investment company with political donors, charity foundations, and buildings downtown.
“She found accounts that didn’t make sense,” Daniel continued. “Money moving through shell companies. Police pension funds. City contracts.”
“And you?”
“I worked security there.”
Rachel stared.
“You told me you managed corporate risk.”
“I did.”
“That’s not the same thing.”
“No.”
“What was Claire trying to prove?”
“I never knew.”
The doorbell rang.
Daniel’s expression changed.
“Don’t open it.”
Police lights flashed outside.
Rachel looked through the window.
Two officers approached the house.
One older. One younger.
The younger officer looked up.
Saw Daniel through the glass.
And stopped walking.
Daniel whispered one word.
“Damn.”
“What?”
“I know him.”
The officer entered when Rachel opened the door.
His badge read OFFICER MARK DUNN.
He looked around the living room, then at Daniel.
“Long time.”
Rachel’s eyes moved between them.
“You two know each other?”
Daniel said nothing.
Dunn smiled without warmth.
“Your husband and I used to work together.”
“At Arden?” Rachel asked.
The smile disappeared.
Daniel stepped forward.
“Mark, this is about a man outside my daughter’s bedroom.”
Dunn looked at Sophie.
Then at the torn rabbit on the table.
His eyes stopped.
Only for half a second.
But Rachel saw it.
Dunn knew Bunny too.
Rachel quietly slipped the USB into her pocket.
Dunn took out his notebook.
“Mrs. Hale, I’m going to need everyone to stay here tonight.”
“Why?”
“For your safety.”
Daniel’s eyes met Rachel’s.
He barely shook his head.
Do not trust him.
Then Rachel’s phone vibrated.
A text from an unknown number.
DON’T GIVE DUNN THE DRIVE.
A second message arrived.
HE HELPED MAKE CLAIRE DISAPPEAR.
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