Chapter 13 - THE SECRET FRIEND
The next morning, I woke to the sound of voices downstairs. I grabbed my phone and rushed to the window. Standing on the porch, speaking to Elena, was a man. Tall. Dark hair. Familiar face.
I knew that face.
It was the man from the photograph. Younger than in the picture, but unmistakably him. The same eyes. The same jawline.
Samuel O’Connor.
I ran down the stairs and threw open the door. He turned, and when he saw me, he froze.
“Clara?”
“You’re alive,” I said breathlessly.
He looked around quickly, as if afraid someone would hear. “Can we talk? Inside?”
I let him in. We sat in the living room, away from the windows. He looked tired—worn, tense, as if he had been running for years.
“Adrian sent me the letter,” he said without preamble. “The one asking for help. I knew he was in trouble. I’ve been watching Sterling for months—waiting for the right moment to step in.”
“You were at the safe house,” I said. “You helped him escape.”
Sam nodded. “Sterling was going to move him tonight. Somewhere far away. I got him out. But… Adrian was hurt. Badly.”
“Where is he?” I leaned forward, my heart hammering.
“Safe,” Sam said. “Hidden. But he needs a doctor. And we can’t bring one to him. Sterling is watching every move.”
“Tell me where he is,” I said. “I’ll go. I’ll bring supplies. I’ll help.”
Sam hesitated. “If Sterling finds out… he’ll kill you both.”
“I don’t care,” I said. “I have to know Adrian is alive. I have to help him.”
Sam looked at me long and hard. Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper.
“Here,” he said. “But be careful. And tell no one. Not even the police. Not yet.”
“Why not?”
“Because,” Sam said quietly, “Sterling has someone inside the department. Someone on his payroll. If we tell anyone… Adrian dies.”
May you like
I took the paper. A location. A cabin deep in the woods, miles from anywhere.
“Go alone,” Sam said. “At night. And come alone. If anyone follows you… we’re all dead.”
