Chapter 7: The Enemy Sitting Beside Us
The farmhouse was silent after the shooting stopped.
Not peaceful.
Not safe.
Silent in the way a room becomes silent after someone realizes there is a knife hidden somewhere.
I stood near the broken window, staring at the empty table where the letter had been.
The letter that could destroy my marriage.
The letter that could explain Cody's entire life.
Gone.
Emmett walked slowly through the room, examining every detail.
The broken glass.
The floor.
The open cabinet.
The table.
His expression was unreadable.
I hated that.
I hated that everyone around me always seemed to know more than I did.
"Stop.""
Emmett looked at me.
"Stop what?""
"Looking like you already know the answer.""
His eyes stayed on mine.
"I don't.""
"Then why did you say someone was here before the shooting?""
"Because the shooter wanted us distracted.""
"And?""
"And because whoever took the letter knew exactly where to find it.""
Cody stood near the doorway.
His face was pale.
"Someone inside this house.""
Nobody answered.
Because everyone was thinking the same thing.
I looked at Emmett.
"You said this place was secure.""
"It was.""
"That means someone betrayed you.""
His jaw tightened.
"Yes.""
Cody laughed bitterly.
"Funny.""
We looked at him.
"My whole life, everyone kept saying family protects family.""
He looked around the room.
"But somehow every person who says they love me is the person hiding things.""
The words hit harder because they were true.
I walked toward him.
"Cody.""
He stepped away.
"I need to know something.""
"What?""
He looked directly at Emmett.
"Did you ever see me?""
Emmett frowned.
"What?""
"Before tonight. Did you ever see me?""
The older man didn't answer immediately.
That hesitation was enough.
Cody's face fell.
"You did.""
Emmett looked down.
"Once.""
"When?""
"Your eighth birthday.""
Cody froze.
I felt my chest tighten.
"What?""
Emmett continued quietly.
"Your mother had left instructions. She wanted me to stay away. She believed my life would put you in danger.""
Cody swallowed.
"But you came anyway.""
"Yes.""
"Why?""
Emmett looked at him.
"Because I wanted to know what you looked like.""
Cody's expression changed.
Not forgiveness.
Not yet.
Something closer to confusion.
"What did you see?""
Emmett's voice softened.
"A boy who looked exactly like his mother.""
Nobody spoke.
Then the back door opened.
Everyone turned.
A man stood there.
Older.
Gray hair.
Hands raised.
"Don't shoot.""
Emmett immediately reached for the weapon at his side.
The man's eyes moved toward him.
"Still dramatic after all these years, Emmett?""
Emmett froze.
I noticed.
"Who is he?""
Emmett didn't answer.
The man stepped inside.
"My name is Daniel Cross.""
Cody stared.
"No.""
The man's expression changed.
"You remember me.""
Cody's breathing became uneven.
I looked at him.
"Cody?""
Daniel looked at Cody.
"I was your father's lawyer.""
Everything stopped.
"Shawn's?""
Daniel nodded.
"I handled his private affairs.""
Emmett lowered his weapon slightly.
"How did you find us?""
Daniel looked at him.
"Because Shawn told me where he would go if everything went wrong.""
My stomach tightened.
"Where who would go?""
Daniel looked at Cody.
"You.""
Cody stared.
"Why?""
"Because your father knew Malcolm would come for you.""
"Then why didn't he tell me?""
Daniel looked away.
"Because he didn't trust anyone.""
A bitter silence followed.
I thought of the letter.
Do not trust Patrick.
The warning.
The fear.
The secrets.
"What happened to the letter?"" Emmett asked.
Daniel's face changed.
"What letter?""
Everyone noticed.
Everyone.
The smallest reaction.
The smallest pause.
But it was there.
Emmett stepped closer.
"You know about it.""
Daniel looked toward the floor.
"I know enough.""
"Where is it?""
"I don't have it.""
"Then who does?""
Daniel looked at me.
And I immediately felt cold.
"No.""
He didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
My fingers tightened.
"Who?""
Daniel's voice was quiet.
"Your husband.""
The world tilted.
Patrick.
Again.
"No.""
Daniel looked at me sadly.
"I wish I was wrong.""
Cody shook his head.
"He's lying.""
"I hope he is.""
Emmett watched Daniel carefully.
"Why should we believe you?""
Daniel reached into his coat.
Everyone reacted.
But he slowly pulled out a small envelope.
"I came here because Shawn left me one final message.""
He handed it to Cody.
Cody stared.
"Why me?""
"Because your father said only you would understand.""
Cody opened it.
Inside was a single photograph.
A family photo.
Shawn.
Laura.
A young Cody.
And another person standing beside them.
A person none of us expected.
Cody looked confused.
"Who is this?""
Emmett took the photograph.
His face changed completely.
Because the person standing beside Shawn and Laura was Malcolm Bannon.
But he wasn't smiling.
He was terrified.
Daniel spoke quietly.
"That picture was taken the night Shawn discovered the truth.""
I looked at him.
"What truth?""
Daniel stared at the photograph.
"The truth about why the Bannon family and Carbone family went to war.""
The lights suddenly went out.
The farmhouse fell into darkness.
Then a voice came from outside.
"Nobody move.""
Malcolm.
My heart stopped.
May you like
His voice carried through the broken window.
"I've been patient long enough.""
