Chapter 4 - Discipline Before Anger
Ryan climbed out of the truck and stared through the coffee shop window.
Elias stood.
Claire grabbed his wrist.
“Dad, don’t.”
He looked down at her hand.
For fifteen years, Elias had trained military personnel in physical conditioning, composure and defensive decision-making. He had taught people how to function when fear and anger made clear thinking difficult.
The first rule had always been simple:
Control yourself before trying to control the situation.
Elias sat again.
Ryan entered the coffee shop.
He smiled as though nothing had happened.
“Claire, you scared me.”
She moved closer to her father.
Ryan’s smile tightened.
Elias turned his phone face down on the table. The recording application was already running.
“She’s leaving with me,” Elias said.
“This is between Claire and me.”
“No,” Claire replied. “It isn’t.”
Ryan ignored her.
He leaned toward Elias.
“You’re too old to intimidate me.”
“I’m not trying to intimidate you.”
Ryan glanced at the laptop bag.
“That belongs to my business.”
Claire held it more tightly.
“It contains evidence of financial crimes.”
For the first time, Ryan’s confidence cracked.
He lowered his voice.
“You have no idea who you’re accusing.”
Elias met his eyes.
“Then you should be comfortable explaining everything to investigators.”
May you like
Ryan walked away without another word.
The threat arrived six minutes later.
