Chapter 19 - The Envelope at Marianne’s Grave
Elias visited the cemetery every Sunday morning.
He brought fresh flowers and spent several quiet minutes beside Marianne’s grave.
On the third Sunday after Claire left Ryan, he found a white envelope beneath the flowers.
Inside was a photograph of Claire entering her workplace.
A handwritten message covered the back.
THE NEXT ONE WILL BE TAKEN AFTER YOU FAIL TO PROTECT HER.
Elias called Detective Ortiz without touching anything else.
Officers collected the envelope.
A camera near the cemetery entrance showed a hooded figure entering before dawn.
The person drove Calvin’s missing car.
Ryan denied involvement.
Claire wanted to hide somewhere outside the state.
Elias did not object.
“You’re allowed to leave,” he said.
Claire looked at the photograph.
“But?”
“But decide based on what helps you recover, not what Ryan wants you to fear.”
Claire considered this.
“If I disappear, he’ll say I ran because I lied.”
“You don’t owe the public a performance.”
“No. But I owe myself a choice.”
She decided to remain in Richmond under protection.
That evening, she packed Marianne’s old blue mug into a small box.
“What are you doing?” Elias asked.
May you like
“Taking it to my apartment.”
It was the first thing she moved into her new home.
