Chapter 8 - THE BROTHER WHO NEVER DIED
The breakthrough came from a hospital record in Oregon.
A man matching Daniel Mercer's description had been admitted eight years earlier under an assumed name.
He had suffered severe injuries.
The hospital documented memory loss and a long rehabilitation.
Hannah worked with investigators to verify the information.
The man had later moved to a small coastal town.
He worked repairing fishing boats.
His name was listed as David Moore.
Laurel stared at the photograph.
It was Daniel.
Older.
Thinner.
But unmistakably her brother.
She traveled to Oregon with Hannah.
They found him at a marina.
He stood beside a fishing boat, tightening a bolt.
Laurel stopped walking.
“Daniel?”
He turned.
For a moment, he stared.
Then the wrench fell from his hand.
“Laurel?”
She ran.
He caught her.
They held each other beneath the gray sky.
For eight years, Laurel had imagined this moment.
Now she could barely speak.
“I thought you were dead.”
Daniel's voice broke.
“I thought you were safer believing that.”
She pulled back.
“What happened?”
He looked toward the water.
“Pierce found out I was going to the authorities.”
Laurel felt cold.
“He had men attack me at Dock 17.”
“Did Beckett know?”
Daniel hesitated.
“I don't think so.”
Laurel stared.
“Why didn't you come home?”
Daniel's eyes filled.
“Because Pierce threatened you.”
Laurel covered her mouth.
“He said if I returned, you'd be next.”
She began crying.
Daniel held her again.
May you like
And for the first time in eight years, Laurel understood that her brother had not abandoned her.
He had disappeared to keep her alive.
