Chapter 6 - THE NURSE WHO TRIED TO WARN US
Natalie Cross disappeared the morning after the train incident.
Her phone was turned off.
Her apartment was empty.
Her bank account showed a withdrawal made two days earlier.
Gabriel believed she had fled.
Naomi wasn't so sure.
Three days later, Natalie contacted the police through an attorney.
She agreed to cooperate.
But only if her younger brother was protected.
I sat in a conference room when Naomi explained what Natalie had said.
"She was recruited through Harbor Talent Solutions."
I nodded.
"Like me."
"Yes."
Naomi continued.
"Calder threatened her family if she refused to follow his instructions."
Gabriel's face hardened.
"What instructions?"
"She was told to administer medication to the infants before the train journey."
I felt sick.
"Did she?"
Naomi hesitated.
"She admits participating in their care but disputes administering the substance. Investigators are checking the evidence."
Natalie also revealed that Calder planned to blame the medical incident on Gabriel.
The triplets' illness would create public outrage.
Authorities would investigate.
Gabriel's enemies would exploit the scandal.
And Calder would use the resulting chaos to seize control of several businesses.
Gabriel stared.
"He wanted me removed."
Naomi nodded.
"That appears to be part of the plan."
Then Natalie disclosed something else.
Calder had arranged for a woman to intervene during the train journey.
A woman who was breastfeeding.
A woman with a child who could be threatened.
I closed my eyes.
"He wanted me to feed the babies."
Naomi nodded.
"That may have been his intention."
"Why?"
"To create a connection between you and the incident."
I stared.
"So he could blame me?"
"Possibly."
Gabriel stood abruptly.
"That's enough."
Naomi looked at him.
"Mr. Moretti—"
He turned toward me.
"Claire, you don't have to hear more today."
I looked at him.
For a moment, I wanted to agree.
I wanted to go home.
Hold Wren.
Forget everything.
But I shook my head.
"No."
Gabriel stared.
I continued.
"I need to know what happened."
Naomi nodded.
Then opened another file.
Natalie had provided the name of a man who helped Calder arrange the train journey.
Peter Sloan.
I froze.
I knew that name.
He was the recruiter who had interviewed me for the job in Philadelphia.
Naomi looked at me.
"Claire?"
I swallowed.
"He told me I had a good chance."
"Of getting the job?"
I nodded.
"He said I seemed dependable."
My voice broke.
"He asked me about Wren."
Gabriel's expression darkened.
"What did he ask?"
I stared at the table.
"Whether I had anyone who could take care of her if I had to travel."
Silence.
Then I whispered:
"He wasn't interviewing me."
Naomi shook her head.
"No."
May you like
I closed my eyes.
"He was finding out how easy it would be to threaten us."
