He had spent years refusing questions about his life before Sarah died.
His military records were not secret, but he did not advertise them.
He had no interest in becoming anyone’s weapon again.
Daniel seemed to understand the boundary.
“I’m not asking you to work for me,” he said.
Michael raised an eyebrow.
“Then what are you asking?”
Daniel looked toward the narrow gap in the doorway where Emily’s brown eye had suddenly appeared.
“First, I want to thank your daughter.”
Emily immediately disappeared.
Michael almost smiled.
He opened the door.
“Emily.”
She came slowly into the hallway, still holding half a piece of toast.
Daniel Mercer, a man whose photograph appeared beside articles about billion-dollar acquisitions, crouched until he was eye level with her.
“Claire told me what you said last night.”
Emily looked at her father.
“I just told Daddy somebody needed help.”
“Sometimes,” Daniel said, “saying that is the brave part.”
Emily considered this seriously.
“Is she okay?”
“She’s okay because your father stopped.”
Emily nodded as if that answer made perfect sense.
“Daddy always stops.”
Michael looked away.
Daniel noticed.
When Emily returned to the kitchen, Daniel stood and handed Michael the folder again.
“Claire also asked me to give you this.”
He removed an envelope.
Michael did not open it.
“If that’s money, take it back.”
“It’s money.”
“Then take it back.”
Daniel’s mouth tightened with something that might have been amusement.
“You haven’t even asked how much.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“It might to most people.”
“Then give it to most people.”
Daniel studied him for a long moment before sliding the envelope back into his coat.
“Claire predicted you’d say that.”
“She’s observant.”
“So are you.
That’s why there’s something else I wanted you to see.”
He reopened the folder and pointed to the image of the SUV.
“Police found it abandoned before sunrise.
Wiped clean.
No plates.”
Michael’s eyes narrowed.
“Professional?”
“Professional enough to worry me.”
“Then increase her protection.
Change routines.
Don’t let anyone outside a small circle know where she’s going.”
Daniel went still.
“That’s what worries me.”
Michael looked at him.
