Chapter 11 - THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT|
Evelyn insisted that I leave the apartment immediately.
Alexander wanted to take me to one of his secure properties. I refused.
“I am not going into another house where every door is controlled by you.”
“Claire, this isn't about control.”
“Then let Evelyn choose where I go.”
He looked frustrated, but after a moment he nodded.
Evelyn arranged a temporary stay at a private residence owned by a client. It was quiet, protected, and far enough from the city center to keep us out of the usual traffic.
Nathan drove us.
Alexander followed in another car.
I didn't like having him behind us, but I liked the thought of Victor knowing where I was even less.
At the residence, Evelyn checked the security system and made sure the doors were locked.
“We'll stay here until the documents are reviewed,” she said.
I sat on the sofa, exhausted.
The baby had been moving all afternoon. I placed a hand over my stomach and tried to breathe slowly.
Evelyn noticed.
“Are you uncomfortable?”
“Just tired.”
“Then rest. I'll be in the next room.”
I closed my eyes.
For the first time in weeks, I almost felt safe.
Then the lights went out.
A sharp click sounded near the front door.
Nathan shouted from the hallway.
“Everyone down!”
A crash followed.
I grabbed the edge of the sofa.
Evelyn rushed into the room.
“Claire, come with me.”
We moved toward the back hallway.
A second crash shook the house.
Someone was inside.
I heard Nathan shouting, then the unmistakable sound of a struggle.
Evelyn pushed me into a small office and locked the door.
“Stay here.”
“Don't leave me.”
She looked directly into my eyes.
“I won't.”
She pulled out her phone and called emergency services.
Outside, footsteps crossed the hall.
A man's voice spoke.
“Find the notebook.”
I recognized the voice.
Victor Hale.
The office door handle moved.
I backed away.
Then Alexander's voice came from somewhere in the house.
“Victor!”
A gunshot cracked through the darkness.
I screamed.
The door shook again.
Evelyn pulled me behind the desk.
“Stay down.”
A moment later, the handle stopped moving.
Then came another voice.
“Claire?”
Alexander.
I didn't answer immediately.
“Claire, it's me. Open the door.”
Evelyn checked the peephole.
She unlocked it.
Alexander stood there, his shirt torn at the shoulder. Blood ran down one side of his face.
“Are you hurt?”
I shook my head.
He looked at my stomach.
“Is the baby all right?”
“I think so.”
He reached toward me, then stopped himself.
“Can I?”
I nodded.
He placed his palm lightly against my stomach.
The baby moved.
His face changed.
For a second, he looked almost overwhelmed.
Then Nathan appeared behind him.
“Victor escaped.”
Alexander turned.
“Where?”
“Back entrance. He had someone waiting.”
Evelyn stepped into the hallway.
“We need the police.”
Alexander nodded.
“I've already called them.”
I looked at him.
“You called the police?”
“Yes.”
The answer surprised me.
For years, he had solved problems through men whose names never appeared on reports. Now he had chosen to let the authorities enter his world.
But as the first sirens approached, Nathan picked up the black notebook from the floor.
He opened it.
His face went white.
“Alexander.”
“What?”
Nathan turned the page.
“There's a name here that shouldn't be.”
May you like
I looked at the notebook.
The name was Nathan Cole.
