Her father heard him.
“Claire?”
“Yes?”
“Get out of there.”
She looked toward the windows.
“Dad—”
“Now.”
The line went dead.
Claire slowly closed the laptop.
Elijah removed his apron.
Daniel reached for his jacket.
Martha looked confused.
“What's happening?”
Elijah smiled.
“Nothing, Martha.”
“Are you closing?”
“Just for a little while.”
Martha looked at the three of them.
Then she looked toward the window.
Her expression changed.
“I know that truck.”
Everyone turned.
“What truck?”
“The black one.”
Daniel stepped closer.
“You've seen it?”
“Yesterday.”
“Where?”
“Behind my house.”
Claire's heart pounded.
“How long?”
“About an hour.”
Daniel looked at Elijah.
Elijah nodded.
They moved toward the back door.
But before they could reach it, the front door opened.
A tall man walked in.
He wore a gray suit.
He looked completely ordinary.
Too ordinary.
He smiled.
“Mr. Brooks?”
Elijah stopped.
“Yes?”
The man looked at Claire.
Then Daniel.
“I'm with the bank.”
Claire stared.
“No, you're not.”
The man smiled.
“How would you know?”
“Because my father just called me.”
The man's smile disappeared.
For a moment, nobody moved.
Then Daniel stepped between him and Elijah.
“Leave.”
The man looked at Daniel.
“This doesn't concern you.”
“It concerns my friend.”
“You should walk away.”
Daniel smiled.
“I've heard that before.”
The man reached into his pocket.
Claire grabbed Elijah's arm.
“Run.”
They moved through the kitchen.
Pots clattered.
Someone shouted.
They burst through the back door.
Behind the diner was a narrow alley.
Daniel led them toward a pickup truck.
They climbed in.
He started the engine.
The black truck appeared at the end of the street.
Daniel accelerated.
Claire looked back.
“They're following us.”
“I know.”
“Where are we going?”
“Somewhere they won't expect.”
“Where?”
“My ranch.”
The truck disappeared behind them.
For twenty minutes, nobody spoke.
Then Elijah said,
“You should not have involved yourself, Claire.”
She looked at him.
“Why?”
“Because this is dangerous.”
“So is letting them continue.”
Elijah smiled.
“You're stubborn.”
“So are you.”
Daniel laughed.
“That's why you two are going to get along.”
Claire smiled despite herself.
Then her phone rang.
Her father's number.
She answered.
“Dad?”
His voice was urgent.
“Claire, listen carefully.”
“What happened?”
“They know about you.”
“How?”
“I don't know.”
“Dad—”
“Someone inside the bank is helping them.”
Claire's face went pale.
“Who?”
“I don't know.”
“Then how do we trust anyone?”
“You don't.”
He paused.
“Trust no one until I call again.”
The call ended.
Claire looked at Elijah.
He was staring out the window.
“What?”
He said quietly,
“I know who it is.”
“Who?”
“The person helping them.”
Daniel looked at him.
“You're sure?”
Elijah nodded.
“Almost.”
“Who?”
Elijah looked at Claire.
“Your father.”
Claire froze.
“What?”
“He knew about the transfers before you did.”
“He works at the bank.”
“Exactly.”
Claire shook her head.
“No.”
“He may not be involved.”
“Then why did you say—”
“Because I need you to ask yourself a question.”
“What question?”
“Why did he tell you to trust no one?”
Claire stared at him.
“Because he knows how dangerous this is.”
“Or because he wants to control what you discover.”
She looked down.
Her entire world was becoming uncertain.
Her father had always been her strongest supporter.
He had taught her everything about finance.
He had helped her build her company.
He had protected her.
Could he really be involved?
“No,” she whispered.
Elijah did not argue.
He simply said,
“You don't have to believe me.”
Daniel drove silently.
They reached the ranch after dark.
The property was enormous.
A large wooden house stood beyond a long gravel road.
Daniel parked inside a barn.
They entered through a side door.
The ranch was empty.
Daniel locked every door.