Chapter 2 - The Warning at Breakfast
Seven hours earlier, the Morgan kitchen had been filled with sunlight and the smell of toast.
Chloe sat at the table drawing a castle on the back of a school worksheet. Daniel stood at the counter with his phone in one hand and an untouched cup of coffee in the other.
Rachel noticed that he had not slept well.
“You were in the office all night again,” she said.
Daniel locked his phone and forced a smile.
“Just trying to finish the quarterly reports.”
“You said that yesterday.”
Chloe looked up from her drawing.
“Dad, you promised you would help me build the volcano tonight.”
“I remember.”
“A real one?”
“A safe one.”
Chloe narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
“That sounds less exciting.”
Daniel finally smiled, but it disappeared when his phone vibrated again.
The name on the screen was Owen.
Daniel declined the call.
Rachel watched him carefully.
Daniel and Owen had inherited Morgan Custom Homes after their father died. Daniel handled construction and design. Owen controlled client accounts, contracts, and investments.
For years, they had seemed like the perfect partners.
Recently, Daniel had started bringing files home. He had changed passwords and asked Rachel whether anyone had entered his office.
That morning, his worry was impossible to hide.
“What happened between you and Owen?” Rachel asked.
“Nothing you need to worry about.”
“That answer always means I should worry.”
Daniel glanced toward Chloe.
“We’ll talk tonight.”
Rachel picked up her handbag.
“I’m serious, Daniel.”
“So am I.”
He touched her hand and lowered his voice.
“If Owen calls you, don’t tell him where I am. Don’t give him any passwords. And don’t let him into the house unless I’m here.”
Rachel stared at him.
“What did he do?”
Before Daniel could answer, Chloe appeared between them wearing her pink backpack.
“I’m going to miss the bus.”
Rachel drove Chloe to the corner and watched her climb aboard. When Rachel returned, Daniel was standing beside the kitchen table with a large cream envelope.
He placed a small black storage drive inside it.
“What is that?” she asked.
“Insurance.”
“Against what?”
May you like
Daniel looked toward the garage door.
“Someone who believes being family means never having to answer for what he’s done.”
