Chapter 5 - The Man Beside the Cooler
Samuel stood beside the cooler, pretending to examine a bottle label while watching Owen.
From across the yard, Claire saw him touch two fingers to his wrist.
It was the signal they had agreed upon.
He recognized something.
Claire excused herself and walked toward the patio. Samuel followed several seconds later.
They stopped near the open sliding door where music covered their voices.
“He has the scar,” Samuel said.
“What scar?”
“The Rivergate driver escaped through a broken security window. A witness saw a deep cut behind his left ear.”
Claire remembered the mark hidden by Owen’s collar.
“That isn’t enough.”
“No, but his fingerprints might be.”
“How do we get them?”
Samuel glanced at the red cup Owen had placed near the grill.
“Carefully.”
Claire watched Owen return to the wrestling mat.
“He threatened Ava last night.”
Samuel’s face hardened.
“What did he say?”
“That every mother eventually chooses the option that protects her daughter.”
“You should leave.”
“If I leave, he’ll follow.”
“Then we move Ava first.”
Before they could act, Ava ran toward Claire.
“Mom, Grandma says we’re taking a family picture.”
Claire looked around.
Diane had gathered relatives near the patio. Owen stood in the center.
Claire reluctantly joined them.
During the picture, Owen placed one hand on her shoulder.
His grip tightened.
“Smile,” he whispered.
Claire looked straight at the camera.
After the photograph, she stepped away, but Owen kept hold of her arm.
“Let go.”
He released her with a laugh.
Samuel had seen it.
So had Ava.
“Why does he keep touching you?” she asked.
“He wants attention.”
“I don’t like him.”
Claire knelt beside her daughter.
“Listen carefully. Stay near the picnic table. If I say the word library, go inside with Aunt Beth and lock the kitchen door.”
Ava’s eyes widened.
“Is this one of our safety plans?”
“Yes.”
Claire and Ava practiced emergency plans without creating fear around them. Fire, storms, strangers and separation in crowded places all had simple instructions.
Ava nodded.
“Library means go inside with Aunt Beth.”
“Exactly.”
“What about you?”
“I’ll be right behind you.”
Claire stood and noticed Samuel speaking to Diane near the cooler. While Diane turned toward the house, Samuel picked up Owen’s discarded cup with a napkin and placed it inside a paper bag.
A minute later, Samuel walked past Claire.
“Sending it now.”
“To whom?”
“An agent waiting two blocks away.”
“How fast can they compare it?”
“If his prints are in the system, minutes.”
Owen called Claire’s name again.
This time, irritation sharpened his voice.
She turned.
He stood on the wrestling mat, surrounded by relatives with their phones raised.
“Come on, Claire,” he said. “One friendly round.”
“No.”
“Are you afraid?”
“No.”
“Then prove it.”
Claire saw the trap clearly.
If she fought him, he would claim she attacked him.
If she refused, he would mock her until the family believed she was weak, unstable or hiding something.
Ava moved closer to the picnic table.
Samuel remained beside the cooler.
Claire decided she would not give Owen either reaction.
May you like
She turned away.
Owen followed.
