Chapter 5 - THE WOMAN IN THE RED DRESS
Chloe's pregnancy announcement became public.
Julian celebrated with a private party.
Emma was not invited.
But she received a photograph.
Chloe stood beside Julian beneath a banner celebrating their future.
Emma stared at the image for several minutes.
Then she noticed something.
Chloe's hand rested over her stomach.
But there was no visible pregnancy.
It was too early, perhaps.
Or perhaps not.
Emma called Garrison.
“I need you to look at something.”
He arrived.
After studying the photograph, he said:
“Don't assume.”
“I know.”
“Good.”
“Can you find out whether the pregnancy is real?”
Garrison looked at her.
“That question could become dangerous.”
Emma answered quietly.
“So could believing a lie.”
Two days later, Garrison returned.
He did not look pleased.
“What did you find?”
“I found a doctor.”
“And?”
“He treated Chloe.”
Emma waited.
“He refuses to talk.”
“Why?”
“Someone paid him.”
“Julian?”
“I don't know.”
Emma looked down.
“Then what do we know?”
Garrison's answer was simple.
“Not enough.”
That night, Emma received another message.
YOU'RE ASKING THE WRONG QUESTION.
She replied:
WHAT IS THE RIGHT QUESTION?
The response came almost immediately.
WHO BENEFITS IF YOU NEVER LEARN THE TRUTH?
Emma stared at the screen.
Then she looked toward the window.
A black vehicle was parked across the street.
The headlights turned on.
Emma froze.
The vehicle drove away.
Her phone rang.
Garrison.
“Emma, lock your doors.”
She did.
May you like
“Why?”
“Because someone just followed me.”
