Chapter 2: The Man in the Rain
Nathan Vale stood beneath the porch light with rain dripping from his tailored coat.
He looked calm.
That was the dangerous thing about men like Nathan.
They never raised their voices when they believed they controlled the outcome.
"Good evening, Judge Whitmore," he said smoothly.
I kept one hand behind the door, the FBI recorder hidden in my palm.
"You have nerve coming here."
His smile widened.
"And you have my wife."
"My daughter."
Nathan's eyes hardened for the briefest moment.
"Claire is emotional. Pregnancy has made her unstable."
Behind me, I heard Claire inhale sharply from the staircase.
Nathan continued.
"She belongs with me."
The recorder captured every word.
I stepped aside just enough for him to see the bruises on Claire's face.
For the first time, uncertainty crossed his expression.
"Did you do that?" I asked.
Nathan glanced toward the street.
"A married couple has disagreements."
"Interesting answer."
His jaw tightened.
"You have no idea who you're dealing with."
I almost laughed.
No.
He had no idea who he was dealing with.
A black sedan turned the corner and slowly passed the house.
FBI surveillance.
Nathan didn't notice.
"I'll ask one more time," he said quietly. "Send Claire home."
"And if I refuse?"
His eyes became cold.
"Then people get hurt."
The threat hung between us.
Perfect.
Exactly what Agent Bell needed.
I leaned closer.
"Thank you."
Nathan frowned.
"For what?"
"For saying that on a federal recording."
The color drained from his face.
For the first time that night, Nathan Vale looked afraid.
Then his phone rang.
He glanced at the screen.
Something he read made him pale.
Farther down the street, three unmarked vehicles appeared.
Nathan looked at me.
I smiled.
"Looks like your evening just became complicated."
He turned and walked away quickly, disappearing into the rain.
May you like
But I knew one thing.
The hunt had finally begun.
