Chapter 9 - Daniel in Handcuffs
I ran downstairs before I could talk myself out of it.
Daniel stood beside the sedan with both hands visible.
"Claire, don't come closer."
That was when I saw Victor in the passenger seat.
He had a gun resting low against his thigh.
Not pointed at anyone.
He didn't need to.
Evelyn came down behind me and made a strangled sound.
Victor smiled through the open window.
"Family reunion."
Daniel said, "He called me. Said he would give me the records that clear my name if I drove him here."
"And you believed him?"
"No. I wanted him where police could find him."
Victor chuckled. "Your husband discovered courage right after you took off your ring. Fascinating timing."
Maya stayed inside calling Ortiz.
I held up my phone. "Police are coming."
Victor looked bored.
"Then Daniel should probably explain the cash in the trunk."
Daniel spun around.
"What cash?"
Victor's smile widened.
Sirens screamed around the corner.
Victor opened his door, stepped out, and placed the gun carefully on the pavement.
"Officer!" he shouted. "I'm unarmed. Daniel threatened me. I was trying to get away."
Daniel stared at him.
"You son of a—"
Police cars flooded the street.
Everything happened at once.
Hands up. Kneel down. Back away. Don't move.
Officers searched the sedan.
Then one opened the trunk.
Inside was a duffel bag filled with cash and a folder containing photocopies of Bellhaven transfer approvals.
Every approval carried Daniel's signature.
Ortiz arrived and looked like she wanted to punch the universe.
"Daniel, where did this car come from?"
"Victor told me to pick it up from a garage."
"Did you check the trunk?"
"No."
Victor laughed softly.
Ortiz turned on him. "You find this funny?"
"I find bad judgment predictable."
Daniel was handcuffed.
I hated the sight even after everything.
He looked at me as an officer guided him toward a patrol car.
"Claire, I didn't do this."
I believed that part.
The problem was there were so many other things I could no longer believe.
Evelyn suddenly grabbed my sleeve.
"The key," she whispered. "Don't let Victor know I gave it to you."
Too late.
Victor's eyes dropped to my closed fist.
He saw the brass edge between my fingers.
His expression changed completely.
No smile.
No calm.
Just rage.
"Claire," he said, almost gently. "You have something that belongs to me."
Ortiz put him in the second patrol car.
As the door shut, Victor leaned toward the glass and mouthed four words.
Storage three-one-seven is empty.
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