Chapter 4 - The Wolf Ring|
Declan didn't speak for several seconds.
Then he leaned toward the bed.
“Tell me exactly what you saw.”
Sophia closed her eyes, trying to bring the memory into focus.
“The passenger had a ring. Silver, I think. A black wolf engraved on it.”
Marcus, who had entered quietly behind the doctor, exchanged a look with Declan.
“You recognize it?” Sophia asked.
Declan's expression became unreadable.
“Perhaps.”
“That's a very unhelpful answer.”
“It's the only one I have.”
“Declan.”
He looked at her.
“I won't lie to you about this.”
“Then don't.”
He pulled a chair closer but remained careful not to disturb her injured arm.
“The wolf is associated with a group that used to work with my family. Their leader was called Raymond Kessler. He disappeared three years ago after a dispute over a shipping contract.”
“Was he dangerous?”
“Yes.”
“Was he angry with you?”
“Very.”
Sophia took a slow breath.
“Then it sounds as though you have a problem.”
“I have several.”
“Perhaps you should stop collecting them.”
Marcus almost smiled, but Declan didn't.
“Did the passenger speak?” he asked.
“No. The driver shouted something, but I couldn't hear the words.”
“Did you recognize either man?”
“No.”
Declan looked toward Marcus.
“Find every person connected to Kessler. Quietly. No one approaches Sophia, and no one discusses her condition outside this room.”
Sophia lifted her eyebrows.
“You do realize I can hear you?”
“Yes.”
“And I'm not a piece of evidence you can lock in a drawer.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
His gaze returned to her.
“I know you hate being told what to do.”
“I don't hate being told what to do. I hate being treated as though my decisions don't count.”
Something shifted in his expression.
“You're right.”
The answer surprised her.
He continued before she could respond.
“I won't make decisions about your life without asking you. But I need to know whether you're willing to tell the police what you saw.”
“Yes.”
“And whether you're willing to let the hospital notify them about the attack.”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Sophia studied him.
“You're being unusually reasonable.”
“Don't get used to it.”
“There he is.”
This time, Declan smiled.
It was small, tired, and gone almost immediately, but Sophia saw it.
The moment was interrupted when a detective arrived to take her statement. Declan stepped outside so she could speak freely. The detective asked about the car, the gunshot, and the ring. Sophia answered as accurately as she could, refusing to guess when she didn't know something.
Afterward, she was exhausted.
Declan returned and found her staring at the ceiling.
“Do you need anything?”
“An entirely new shoulder.”
“I'll see what I can do.”
“And a glass of water.”
He poured it and helped her drink, holding the cup while she kept her injured arm still.
When she finished, she looked at him.
“Were you the target because of the shipping contract?”
“Possibly.”
“Or because someone wants you dead?”
“That is also possible.”
“Do you ever have ordinary problems?”
“Once, I couldn't get a parking space.”
She stared at him.
He shrugged.
“It was a difficult day.”
A reluctant laugh escaped her, followed by a wince.
“Don't make me laugh. It hurts.”
“I'll try to be less charming.”
“Try harder.”
For a while, they sat in silence.
Then Declan's phone vibrated. He glanced at the screen, and the humor disappeared from his face.
Sophia watched him read the message.
“What happened?”
He turned the phone facedown.
“Nothing you need to worry about.”
She gave him a long look.
“You promised.”
His jaw tightened.
“Someone broke into your shop last night.”
Sophia went cold.
“Was anything stolen?”
“Not that we know.”
“My mother's sewing machine?”
“Marcus is checking.”
“My account books?”
“Still there.”
She stared at him.
“Then what did they want?”
Declan didn't answer.
He was looking at the message again.
A photograph had been attached. It showed Sophia's worktable, the cutting scissors, and the unfinished suit she had been making for Declan.
Pinned to the fabric was a small white card.
May you like
On it, someone had written six words.
SHE WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO SURVIVE.
