Chương 6 - Fiona's Question
Jessi wanted Marcus confronted immediately.
Ivan stopped her.
“If he knows we're onto him, evidence disappears.”
“He's my godfather.”
“Which means emotion is exactly why you shouldn't confront him.”
“You think I can't control my emotions?”
“I watched you threaten a janitor because he accidentally opened a door.”
She glared.
“Point taken.”
They investigated quietly.
Meanwhile Fiona's treatment improved.
For the first time in months, Ivan slept without checking whether his daughter was breathing every hour.
One Saturday, Jessi unexpectedly joined them at a park.
She wore sunglasses and ordinary clothes.
Fiona studied her.
“Are you Daddy's girlfriend?”
Ivan nearly dropped his coffee.
“No,” they answered simultaneously.
Fiona shrugged.
“You argue like married people.”
Jessi laughed.
Later, while Fiona played nearby, Jessi became quiet.
“She likes you,” Ivan said.
“Children don't usually.”
“Children know when adults are pretending.”
Jessi looked at him.
“And what am I pretending?”
“That you don't care.”
Her smile disappeared.
“You shouldn't analyze me.”
“Occupational hazard.”
“You're a janitor.”
“Security consultant.”
“Temporary security consultant.”
They smiled.
Then Ivan noticed a man photographing them.
He ran.
The photographer escaped into traffic, leaving behind a dropped envelope.
Inside were photographs.
Jessi entering physical therapy.
Jessi struggling to walk.
Jessi wearing her orthopedic brace.
And one photograph of Fiona leaving school.
Ivan's face changed.
Jessi saw it.
“Ivan—”
“No.”
He gathered the photographs.
“They brought my daughter into this.”
“I'll protect her.”
“No. I'm ending this.”
That evening Ivan packed.
He planned to take Fiona away from New York.
Then someone slid an envelope beneath his apartment door.
Inside was one photograph.
Laura.
Ivan's dead wife.
On the back, four words were handwritten:
YOUR WIFE KNEW TOO.
Ivan stared at it until his hands began trembling.
May you like
The war wasn't just connected to Jessi anymore.
Somehow, it had been connected to Ivan long before they ever met.
