Chapter 5 - NOEL'S FATHER
Clara had spent four years telling Noel that her father had died before she was born.
It was easier than telling a child she did not know who he was.
Now that lie was cracking open.
Raphael kept his voice gentle.
“Who could it have been?”
Clara’s cheeks burned.
“There was only one man.”
“Name.”
“Daniel Mercer.”
Raphael knew the name.
Daniel had worked at the harbor before disappearing five years earlier.
“Were you together?”
“For six months.”
“What happened?”
“He vanished.”
Clara had believed Daniel left because he was frightened by the Morelli family.
Anthony had warned her that Daniel wanted nothing to do with her.
Weeks later Clara learned she was pregnant.
She searched.
No trace.
Raphael called Milo.
“Find Mercer.”
Milo hesitated.
“We already did.”
Clara turned.
“What?”
“Daniel Mercer died four years ago.”
She covered her mouth.
Car accident.
Rhode Island.
Closed casket.
Raphael hated coincidences.
Especially closed-casket ones.
They pulled the death records.
The physician who confirmed Daniel’s identity was connected to Anthony Morelli.
Clara whispered:
“He’s alive.”
Raphael didn’t answer.
He was thinking the same thing.
Then his phone buzzed.
A photo arrived.
Noel sat at a table eating crackers.
She appeared unharmed.
Beside her was Bianca.
Below it:
BRING CLARA TO PIER 17. NO POLICE. MIDNIGHT.
Clara reached for the phone.
Raphael pulled it away.
“No.”
“That’s my daughter.”
“And they want you.”
“Then they can have me.”
“No.”
She glared at him.
“You don’t get to decide.”
“I’m deciding they don’t get either of you.”
For a second she looked almost angry enough to forget she was afraid.
Then Raphael’s phone rang.
A man spoke.
“Duca.”
Raphael knew the voice.
Daniel Mercer.
Clara heard it too.
Her knees nearly gave out.
“Daniel?”
Silence.
Then the man said:
“Clara?”
She began crying.
“Where is Noel?”
“Safe.”
“Why are you with them?”
“I’m not.”
Raphael stepped closer to the phone.
“Explain.”
Daniel lowered his voice.
“Bianca thinks I work for her.”
“And do you?”
“No.”
“Then why stay hidden?”
“Because Noel isn’t the reason they kept Clara under surveillance.”
Clara wiped her tears.
“What are you talking about?”
May you like
Daniel answered:
“They’ve been waiting for Clara to remember what she saw the night Raphael Duca’s father died.”
