Chapter 7 - THE DAUGHTER Daniel's daughter, Emily, had been seventeen when she died.
An accident.
At least that's what the official report said.
Daniel had never believed it.
Emily had been investigating her father's old Argent case.
She had discovered something.
Three days before her death, she called Daniel.
She sounded frightened.
Then she said:
“Dad, if anything happens to me, don't trust the police.”
The call ended.
The next morning, Emily was found dead.
The case was closed within forty-eight hours.
Accidental overdose.
Daniel had spent years blaming himself.
Now Ethan understood.
“Your daughter knew about Argent.”
“Yes.”
“And my mother knew her.”
Daniel nodded.
“Claire had met Emily.”
“Why?”
“To warn her.”
Ethan stared at him.
“Then maybe Emily wasn't an accident.”
Daniel said nothing.
The truck stopped.
They had reached an abandoned motel.
Daniel shut off the engine.
“We stay here until morning.”
Ethan looked at the motel.
“This place looks like someone was murdered here.”
“Probably.”
“That's comforting.”
Daniel almost smiled.
Almost.
Inside room twelve, Ethan found a newspaper clipping.
The headline made his blood run cold.
LOCAL TEEN FOUND DEAD IN APPARENT OVERDOSE.
Emily Mercer.
Twelve years ago.
The same year Claire disappeared.
Ethan turned to Daniel.
“This isn't coincidence.”
“No.”
“Someone killed her.”
“Yes.”
“And you knew.”
“I suspected.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I wasn't sure.”
“You were protecting yourself.”
Daniel's eyes hardened.
“I was protecting you.”
Ethan stepped closer.
“From what?”
Daniel looked at him.
“From becoming like me.”
The room fell silent.
Then Ethan heard something outside.
A car door.
Then another.
Daniel immediately reached for his weapon.
“They found us.”
Ethan whispered:
“How?”
Daniel looked toward the window.
Then he noticed something.
The photograph of Claire was gone.
May you like
Someone had entered the room.
Without opening the door.
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