Chapter 2 - THE SECRET INSIDE THE MUSIC BOX
Cole Mercer had spent three years believing his wife died because a drunk driver crossed the center line.
He had seen the police report.
The photographs.
The medical examiner's findings.
He had buried Claire beneath a white marble headstone and spent the following years refusing to speak her name aloud.
Now he stood in his hallway holding a metal cylinder concealed inside her favorite music box.
And Daniel Cross looked terrified.
That frightened Elena more than the broken glass.
Daniel was a man who could watch someone threaten him without changing expression.
Yet one tiny object had drained the color from his face.
Cole noticed.
“Why are you nervous?”
Daniel recovered quickly.
“I'm not.”
“Then step away from my son.”
Daniel looked at Noah.
The little boy shrank behind Elena.
Cole's voice hardened.
“Now.”
Daniel stepped back.
Cole turned toward Margaret.
“Take the children to the kitchen.”
Noah clung to Elena's apron.
“No!”
Cole looked at him.
“It's all right.”
Noah shook his head violently.
“He'll hurt Eli.”
Elena knelt.
“Sweetheart, nobody is taking Eli anywhere.”
Noah looked toward Daniel.
His eyes filled.
“He said if I told Daddy, Eli's mommy would go away forever.”
Elena felt cold.
She looked at Daniel.
He smiled.
“Children misunderstand things.”
Cole's expression became dangerous.
“Then explain what my son misunderstood.”
Daniel said nothing.
Cole turned toward his security chief, Anthony Vega.
“Escort Daniel to the west office.”
Daniel laughed.
“Cole, this is ridiculous.”
Anthony stepped forward.
Daniel's smile vanished.
“Don't touch me.”
Cole looked at him.
“Then walk.”
Daniel left between two guards.
Elena watched until he disappeared.
Then she turned toward Cole.
“I need to take Eli home.”
Cole looked at her.
“Mrs. Bennett—”
“My son was threatened.”
“I know.”
“He's four years old.”
Cole swallowed.
“I know.”
Elena's voice trembled.
“Whatever is happening in this house, I won't let him become part of it.”
Cole stared at her.
For the first time since she'd met him, he looked ashamed.
“You're right.”
The answer surprised her.
Cole looked toward Noah.
His son stood beside Eli, gripping his hand.
“Please don't make him go,” Noah whispered.
Elena's heart broke.
Cole knelt.
“Buddy, I need to ask you something.”
Noah nodded.
“Did Daniel tell you to break Mommy's music box?”
Noah's lower lip trembled.
“He told me to get the little silver thing.”
Cole went still.
“Why?”
Noah shook his head.
“He said it belonged to him.”
Cole looked at the cylinder.
“And then?”
Noah began crying again.
“I couldn't open the box. I tried. It fell.”
Eli squeezed his hand.
“I said I did it because Noah was scared.”
Elena closed her eyes.
Her little boy had stepped forward because he thought protecting a friend mattered more than protecting himself.
Cole looked at Eli.
“Why did you take the blame?”
Eli shrugged.
“Because Noah already lost his mommy.”
Silence.
Cole's face crumpled.
Eli continued softly.
“And I didn't want him to lose his daddy, too.”
Cole lowered his head.
For several seconds, he couldn't speak.
Then he reached toward both boys.
“Neither of you is in trouble.”
Noah stared.
“Really?”
“Really.”
Cole looked at Elena.
“And neither of you is leaving until I'm sure you're safe.”
Elena hesitated.
She didn't like the sound of that.
Cole seemed to understand.
“I mean you'll have protection and a choice about where to stay. Not that I'm keeping you here.”
She studied him.
Then nodded.
“Good.”
Cole looked at the cylinder again.
Claire had hidden something inside the music box.
May you like
Something Daniel wanted badly enough to threaten a child.
And Cole intended to find out what it was.
