Chapter 5 - THE FIRST WARNING
That night, Clare found an envelope beneath her apartment door.
There was no name.
No return address.
Inside was one sheet of paper.
Three words.
STOP DIGGING.
Clare froze.
Lily was asleep in the bedroom.
Clare checked the hallway.
Empty.
She locked the door.
Then she called Daniel.
He answered on the second ring.
"Clare?"
"Someone left something at my door."
"What?"
She read the message.
Silence.
"Are you alone?"
"Yes."
"Lock every window."
"I already did."
"Stay inside."
"Daniel—"
"I mean it."
His voice had changed.
The warmth was gone.
This was the voice of someone accustomed to danger.
Clare whispered:
"Who are these people?"
"I don't know."
"You sound like you do."
"I know enough to be worried."
Twenty minutes later, Daniel arrived.
He inspected the hallway, the parking lot, the stairwell.
Then he checked Clare's door.
Nothing.
"Did anyone contact you?"
"No."
He looked at the note again.
"Don't ignore this."
Clare folded her arms.
"I'm not afraid."
"I know."
"Then why are you looking at me like that?"
"Because being brave doesn't make you bulletproof."
She stared at him.
"You think someone could hurt me?"
Daniel didn't answer.
That was answer enough.
Suddenly Lily appeared in the hallway, rubbing her eyes.
"Mom?"
Clare turned.
"Lily, go back to bed."
The girl looked at Daniel.
"Are you staying?"
Daniel glanced at Clare.
"I can leave."
Lily shook her head.
"No."
Clare smiled gently.
"Lily."
The girl walked closer.
"You looked lonely on Thanksgiving."
Daniel crouched to her level.
"I was."
"You're not anymore."
Daniel looked at Clare.
Something passed between them.
Something neither was ready to name.
Then his phone rang.
He stood.
"Yes?"
His face changed.
"Where?"
Clare watched him.
"What happened?"
Daniel ended the call.
"Someone broke into my office."
Clare's heart sank.
"What did they take?"
Daniel looked at her.
"Nothing."
"Then why—"
"They left something."
"What?"
He reached into his coat.
Pulled out a photograph.
It showed Clare.
Standing outside the diner.
May you like
Beside Lily.
On Thanksgiving night.
