The House by the Water
Chapter 08 - The House by the Water
Police reached the property before Adrian.
The house stood empty.
No Rachel.
No Victor.
But there were signs someone had recently stayed there.
A coffee cup.
Fresh food.
A blanket.
And Rachel's coat.
Eli recognized it immediately.
"That's Mom's."
Adrian crouched beside him.
"That means she was here."
"Is that good?"
"It means we're getting closer."
The police searched every room.
Behind a cabinet, they discovered a small storage space.
Inside was a handwritten note.
Adrian opened it.
Victor knows about the copies.
He thinks I gave everything to Charles.
He doesn't know about Eli.
Keep it that way.
Adrian looked toward his son.
Too late.
Victor knew Rachel had reached Adrian.
It wouldn't take long for him to discover why.
Marcus's phone rang.
He answered.
His expression hardened.
"What happened?"
Marcus lowered the phone.
"Eli's motel room was broken into."
Adrian immediately turned toward the boy.
"They were looking for the flash drive."
Marcus nodded.
Adrian felt something cold settle inside him.
Victor was no longer simply protecting stolen money.
He was hunting the evidence.
And Eli had carried that evidence directly into Adrian's life.
That evening, Adrian moved Eli to a secure family property outside the city.
Marcus doubled security.
Still, Eli couldn't sleep.
Adrian found him sitting on the stairs after midnight.
"Bad dream?"
Eli nodded.
Adrian sat beside him.
For several minutes, neither spoke.
Then Eli asked, "Did you love Mom?"
Adrian looked down.
"Yes."
"Do you still?"
The question surprised him.
"I don't know who your mother is now."
"But?"
Adrian smiled sadly.
"But I never stopped wondering about her."
Eli leaned against the wall.
"She kept a picture of you."
Adrian looked over.
"Where?"
"In her wallet."
He felt his chest tighten.
"She said you were the biggest mistake she never regretted."
Adrian laughed softly.
"That sounds like Rachel."
Eli finally smiled.
Then headlights appeared beyond the front gates.
Marcus entered immediately.
"No one is expected."
The security team moved.
A black sedan stopped outside.
The rear door opened.
A woman stepped out.
Adrian stared through the window.
May you like
Rachel.
Alive.
