Chapter 6 - THE FIRST SHOT
The attack happened at 8:42 p.m.
Claire was sitting in the lake house living room when the first window shattered.
Glass exploded across the floor.
Rebecca screamed.
Daniel Mercer grabbed Claire's arm and pulled her behind the sofa.
A second shot struck the fireplace.
Claire's hands flew to her belly.
The baby moved.
Thank God.
Daniel spoke into his radio.
"Shots fired. North entrance. Get emergency services."
Outside, headlights swept across the driveway.
Claire heard tires spinning against snow.
Then another gunshot.
Rebecca crouched beside her.
"Stay down."
Claire tried to breathe.
Her heart pounded so violently that she could barely hear.
Then her phone vibrated.
Adrian.
She stared at the screen.
Rebecca answered.
"Adrian, this is Rebecca."
His voice was sharp.
"Where's Claire?"
"Someone is shooting at the house."
Silence.
Then Adrian said, "Put her on."
Rebecca handed Claire the phone.
"Adrian."
His breathing changed.
"Are you hurt?"
"No."
"The baby?"
"He's moving."
"Listen to Daniel. Stay away from the windows."
Claire closed her eyes.
For one terrible moment, she wanted to hear him promise that everything would be fine.
But she knew better now.
Promises meant nothing without action.
"Adrian," she whispered.
"Yes?"
"If something happens to me—"
"Don't."
"Listen."
His voice broke.
"Claire."
"Make sure our son knows I loved him."
There was a terrible silence.
Then Adrian said, "You're going to tell him yourself."
The police arrived within minutes.
The attackers fled.
No one inside the house was injured.
But the danger was real.
And Claire understood that the people who wanted Pier Nine were willing to kill.
Later that night, Adrian arrived at the hospital where Claire had been taken for evaluation.
He stood outside her room.
Rebecca blocked the doorway.
"She doesn't want visitors."
Adrian looked past her.
Claire lay on the bed.
Pale.
Exhausted.
One hand resting protectively over her abdomen.
For the first time in his life, Adrian Vale looked completely powerless.
He could command hundreds of men.
Move millions of dollars.
Make powerful people answer his calls.
But he could not undo the fear in his wife's eyes.
He looked at Rebecca.
"Tell her I'm sorry."
Rebecca's expression remained cold.
"She already knows you can say that."
May you like
Adrian lowered his head.
"Then tell her I'm going to prove it."
