The cabin door opened.
The first-class passengers began moving forward, but Marcus remained beside me until the aisle cleared enough for us to step out safely.
The moment we entered the jet bridge, I understood what he had meant.
Two airport security officers waited near the gate.
Beside them stood a tall man in a charcoal suit, his dark hair touched with gray at the temples. He held no sign and made no effort to appear welcoming.
His eyes found Marcus first.
Then me.
“Daniel,” Marcus said.
The man crossed toward us.
“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. Emily and her daughter are fine.”
Daniel looked at me.
“Ms. Carter, I’m Daniel Price.”
“I gathered that.”
He seemed surprised.
“Marcus showed me the message.”
Daniel’s gaze shifted to Marcus.
“I told you to keep her with you, not frighten her.”
“You included her name and told me not to leave the airport.”
“I had limited time.”
I adjusted Annie against my shoulder.
“Then perhaps you should stop wasting it.”
Daniel studied me for another second.
Something almost like respect entered his expression.
“We should speak somewhere private.”
“No.”
Marcus looked at me.
“No?” Daniel repeated.
“I arrived in Chicago ten minutes ago. I have no idea where my luggage is, my daughter needs changing, and the two of you are talking as though I walked out of a confidential investigation.”
Daniel lowered his voice.
“You may have.”
The busy airport moved around us.
Rolling suitcases crossed the polished floor. Families reunited near the gate. A child shouted excitedly from somewhere near the windows.
I felt strangely detached from all of it.
“I have never been involved in an investigation.”
“Perhaps not knowingly.”
Marcus stepped closer.
“Daniel.”
It was not loud, but the warning in his voice was unmistakable.
Daniel’s expression softened.
“I’m sorry. This is not how I intended to explain it.”
“How did you intend to explain it?”
“After verifying your identity.”
I almost laughed.
“You sent my name to one of the most recognizable men in the country while I happened to be sitting beside him. I think we are beyond polite introductions.”
Daniel glanced toward the security officers.
“There is a private lounge nearby. You can bring your daughter. We will find your luggage and arrange transportation afterward.”
“I have transportation.”
Marcus looked at me.
“You do?”
“My cousin was supposed to meet me.”
I reached into my bag for my phone.
Three missed calls.
All from my cousin, Rachel.
Before I could call her back, a text appeared.
Emily, don’t come to baggage claim. Someone asked me where you were. I didn’t recognize him. I’m near the police desk.
My stomach tightened.
Marcus read my face.
“What happened?”
I showed him.
Daniel immediately took out his phone.
“Name?”
“Rachel Turner.”
He gave the information to one of the security officers, who moved away quickly.
“I’m going to her,” I said.
“So are we,” Marcus replied.
Daniel frowned.
“That would attract attention.”
Marcus handed him the diaper bag.
“Then try to keep up.”
We found Rachel beside an airport police desk near baggage claim.
She was five years older than me and usually impossible to unsettle. When we were children, she had once removed a bat from her bedroom using only a laundry basket and a broom.
Now she stood with both arms folded tightly across her chest.
The moment she saw me, relief crossed her face.
“Emily.”
She hurried forward and hugged me carefully around Annie.
“I was starting to panic.”
“What happened?”
“A man approached me twenty minutes ago. He knew my name. He asked whether your flight had landed.”
“Did he say who he was?”
“He said he worked for a law office.”
Daniel stepped into view.
“What did he look like?”
Rachel stared at him.
Then she noticed Marcus.
Her mouth opened slightly.
