Chapter 2 - The Photograph That Should Not Exist
I kept my face still.
Lena had spent the previous four years helping me assemble witness protection requests, coordinate field interviews, and keep the most dangerous records out of careless hands.
She had also warned me not to come to the estate.
I could hear Daniel speaking across the room, but his voice seemed very far away.
“Where was that photograph taken?” I asked.
“An airport lounge outside Denver,” Marlowe said.
“Was it verified?”
“Time-stamped surveillance and two independent confirmations.”
There were dozens of innocent explanations for a photograph.
There were fewer for Lena standing with Patrick Sloane, whose name appeared in the restricted briefing on grant diversion that I had reviewed days earlier.
I did not offer Marlowe anything from that briefing.
Different agencies had different responsibilities, and every disclosure would need to be documented.
Instead, I sent a message through my official channel requesting Lena's access be reviewed and preserved.
I also requested an immediate welfare check at her apartment.
Caroline approached quietly.
“The children can use the library.”
She led us through a side corridor past portraits of dead generals.
The library had an enormous Christmas wreath, thick rugs, and a view of the snowy courtyard.
I knelt in front of my four children.
“You are not responsible for anything happening out there.”
Olivia's chin trembled.
“Does he not want us?”
I swallowed.
“His decisions belong to him.”
“My decisions belong to me, and I want you every day.”
Sophia reached for her sister.
Noah watched me carefully.
“Are you mad at us for asking?”
“Never.”
Reed entered the room with a local driver who had been vetted for the trip.
The helicopter had been part of an approved department itinerary, with an official stop near Colorado Springs; our personal visit was separately authorized and paid for where required.
I had made sure of every detail because Daniel had spent years looking for ways to call me irresponsible.
Now it seemed he might have found a more dangerous weapon.
“Take them to our hotel,” I told Reed.
“No visitors without my approval.”
Ethan seized my sleeve.
“You're coming too?”
“As soon as I can.”
“You always say that before work.”
“And I always come back.”
I promised him a video call as soon as they were settled.
They left reluctantly, four navy coats disappearing past the door.
Only when they were gone did I allow myself to look at my phone.
An alert showed someone had tried to open a protected case index using Lena's credentials.
The attempt had originated from a terminal in Texas while Lena was supposedly on leave.
A second alert followed.
My office badge had been used in the headquarters building that morning.
I was in Colorado.
Someone was using my identity.
Before I could call internal affairs, another message appeared from an unknown number.
It contained a photograph of my children's bedroom in Texas.
Underneath were five words.
May you like
YOU SHOULD HAVE COME ALONE.
