Chapter 12 - The Man Who Ordered Ghost Dead
Adrian looked at Claire.
“What is he talking about?”
Claire couldn't answer immediately.
Daniel frowned.
“Claire?”
She reached into her pocket.
A folded envelope.
“I received this two weeks before you entered the hospital.”
She gave it to Adrian.
Inside was a photograph of him.
On the back:
KEEP GHOST ALIVE. HE IS YOUR ONLY WAY TO FIND DANIEL.
Adrian stared.
“You knew.”
“I knew someone connected you to Dad.”
“And you said nothing.”
“I didn't know who sent it.”
“You volunteered deliberately.”
“Yes.”
The betrayal was small compared with others Adrian had endured.
But this one hurt differently.
Because he trusted her.
Claire saw it.
“I wanted the truth.”
“You used me.”
“At first.”
Adrian's eyes lifted.
“At first?”
Claire's voice softened.
“Then I met you.”
He looked away.
Police escorted Keene downstairs.
Daniel gave Claire and Adrian privacy.
Claire crouched beside the wheelchair.
“I should have told you.”
“Yes.”
“I was afraid you'd send me away.”
“I would have.”
“I know.”
“That wasn't your choice.”
“No.”
She accepted it.
“I’m sorry.”
Adrian remained silent.
Claire stood.
“I'll request reassignment.”
Something in Adrian reacted immediately.
But pride stopped him.
Claire walked away.
Three days passed.
Keene was charged under a mountain of federal statutes.
Investigations spread nationwide.
Adrian began rehabilitation again.
He hated every minute.
Claire was no longer his nurse.
The new nurse lasted six hours.
Adrian fired him.
Daniel watched from the doorway.
“You're an idiot.”
“Good morning to you too.”
“She lied because she wanted her father.”
“She manipulated me.”
Daniel laughed.
“You ran an international criminal organization.”
“Allegedly.”
“And you're upset because a nurse withheld a letter?”
Adrian glared.
Daniel sat.
“She cares about you.”
Adrian said nothing.
“You care about her.”
Still nothing.
“I'm her father. I'm required to be uncomfortable about that.”
Adrian looked at him.
“Then stop encouraging it.”
“No.”
Daniel smiled.
“I've wasted twenty years.”
His smile faded.
“I'm not letting either of you waste another.”
Adrian looked toward the empty doorway.
That afternoon, physical therapy began.
Adrian stood between parallel bars.
His legs shook violently.
He managed one second.
Then two.
Then collapsed.
He punched the mat.
“Again.”
The therapist shook her head.
“Tomorrow.”
“Again.”
A voice came from behind him.
“She said tomorrow.”
Adrian froze.
Claire stood in the doorway.
Not wearing scrubs.
Jeans.
Coat.
No badge.
“What are you doing here?”
“Visiting.”
“Why?”
She shrugged.
“Daniel said you're being impossible.”
“Daniel talks too much.”
“Yes.”
Claire walked closer.
“How are you?”
“Terrible.”
“Good.”
He frowned.
She smiled.
“At least you're finally giving honest answers.”
Adrian laughed.
Then Claire's phone vibrated.
She checked it.
Her smile vanished.
“What?”
She showed Adrian.
An unknown sender had sent a photograph.
It showed Thomas Keene inside a transport van.
The timestamp was two minutes old.
Beneath it:
THE PRISONER NEVER ARRIVED.
Adrian looked at Claire.
May you like
Then alarms began sounding throughout the hospital.
Keene had escaped.
