Chapter 8 - THE WOMAN IN THE RED COAT They escaped through the bathroom window.
Behind the motel, a narrow drainage channel led toward the highway.
Daniel and Ethan crawled through mud.
Then they heard footsteps.
Daniel stopped.
A woman appeared at the end of the passage.
Red coat.
Black boots.
Umbrella.
She wasn't carrying a weapon.
“Daniel.”
He raised his gun.
“Don't.”
The woman looked at Ethan.
“Your mother sent me.”
Ethan stared.
“Who are you?”
“My name is Mara.”
Daniel didn't lower his weapon.
“You're lying.”
“Then shoot me.”
Mara pulled out a photograph.
Claire.
Older.
But unmistakably alive.
Ethan stepped forward.
“When was this taken?”
“Yesterday.”
“Where is she?”
Mara looked at Daniel.
“Safe.”
Daniel frowned.
“Safe from Argent?”
“Safe from everyone.”
Ethan's voice broke.
“I need to see her.”
“You can't.”
“Why?”
“Because she doesn't know who she can trust.”
Ethan looked at Daniel.
Mara continued.
“She trusted your mother.”
“No.”
Mara shook her head.
“She trusted Daniel.”
Ethan's face changed.
“What?”
Mara smiled sadly.
“Your mother chose him twelve years ago.”
Daniel lowered his weapon.
“What are you talking about?”
“She knew Emily would be targeted.”
Daniel froze.
“Claire warned her.”
“Not enough.”
Mara reached into her coat.
She handed Daniel a small key.
“Locker 317.”
“Where?”
“Union Station.”
“When?”
“Tomorrow at noon.”
Daniel looked at the key.
“What is inside?”
Mara turned away.
“The proof that Emily was murdered.”
Ethan grabbed her arm.
“And my mother?”
Mara looked back.
“If you want to see Claire again, find the ledger first.”
Then she disappeared into the rain.
Daniel stared after her.
Ethan whispered:
“Do you trust her?”
Daniel shook his head.
“No.”
“Then why are we going?”
May you like
Daniel looked at the key.
“Because sometimes the truth is worth walking into a trap.”
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