Chapter 5 - THE WARNING BENEATH HER WINDSHIELD
The first threat arrived on a Tuesday morning.
Harper found a white envelope tucked beneath her windshield wiper.
Inside was a photograph of her younger brother, Noah, leaving his apartment.
On the back were four words.
STOP ASKING ABOUT HARBOR CREST.
Harper stood motionless.
Noah was twenty-three.
A graduate student.
He knew nothing about the investigation.
She called him immediately.
“Hey, Harp.”
“Where are you?”
“Home. Why?”
“Lock your door.”
A pause.
“What's wrong?”
“Just do it.”
She contacted Owen.
Then reported the threat through official channels.
The response was immediate.
And uncomfortable.
Captain Vale called her into his office.
“You're taking this too far.”
Harper stared.
“Someone threatened my brother.”
“Maybe it's unrelated.”
She looked at him.
“The photograph mentions Harbor Crest.”
Vale's expression tightened.
“You've been warned about pursuing this without authorization.”
Harper stood.
“Then put that warning in writing.”
Vale stared.
“What?”
“Document your instruction.”
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Vale leaned back.
“Get out.”
Harper left.
That evening, she found Lucian waiting outside the station.
He stood beside a black car.
Two security men remained nearby.
Harper stopped.
“Are you following me?”
“No.”
“Then why are you here?”
He held up a photograph.
The same image of Noah.
Harper went cold.
“Where did you get that?”
Lucian's expression was grim.
“Someone sent it to my office.”
Harper stared.
“Why?”
“Because they think you're working with me.”
She looked toward the street.
Lucian stepped closer.
“Detective, whoever is behind this wants us both frightened.”
Harper met his eyes.
“Are you?”
He considered the question.
May you like
Then answered quietly.
“Not for myself.”
