Chapter 5 - MICHAEL'S WARNING
Why was Michael at the house?
Daniel’s younger brother had been trying to reach Claire for two days.
Not because he knew about the necklace.
Because Daniel asked him for $150,000.
Michael refused.
Daniel said:
“If I don’t cure North Coast by Friday, I lose everything.”
Michael asked:
“What did you pledge?”
Daniel answered:
“Enough.”
Then:
“Claire’s jewelry is on the schedule.”
Michael stared.
“Does she know?”
Daniel changed subject.
That scared him.
So Michael drove over.
He arrived just as Claire raised the bottle.
He saw:
Emma trapped,
knife in Daniel’s hand,
necklace in Claire’s fist.
Michael did not become hero.
He had known Daniel was in trouble for months.
He had loaned him $40,000 before.
He never told Claire.
Why?
“Daniel said he had a temporary cash-flow problem.”
Rachel asked:
“And you believed him?”
Michael looked ashamed.
May you like
“I wanted to.”
Another family member mistaking secrecy for support.
