The Girl at the Gate Warned Him Not To Go To the Car

CHAPTER 1 - The Girl at the Gate

"Please... don't step into that car."

Daniel Mercer had been reaching for the rear door of the black sedan when the little girl clamped both hands around his suit jacket. Her school uniform was neat in the way children tried to be neat when they were scared. Her face was streaked with tears. Her hazel eyes locked on his as if he were already in danger.

Daniel froze.

He looked past her to the driver. The man stood beside the open door in a black suit and white gloves, too still, too polished, too aware. His blond hair was combed back, his jaw hard, his expression empty.

"What do you mean?" Daniel asked.

The girl swallowed hard. "He isn't your driver."

Daniel's pulse hit hard. He had not told anyone he was coming to the estate except his wife, Elaine. She had called an hour earlier, voice bright and careful, saying a car would be waiting for him. She had sounded relieved, almost grateful.

Now the child was staring at the sedan with open terror.

"They're watching you," she whispered.

Daniel followed her gaze toward the iron gates and the clipped green hedges beyond. Nothing moved. Yet the stillness felt wrong. His skin tightened under his collar.

The driver lifted one hand toward his jacket. Not enough to alarm a stranger. Enough for Daniel to notice.

Daniel stepped back, placing himself between the girl and the car.

"What is your name?" he asked.

"Lucy," she said. Then, as if each word hurt, she added, "The men your wife sent."

Daniel's stomach dropped.

Elaine. His wife. The woman who had kissed him goodbye that morning and told him not to be late for dinner.

The driver took one careful step forward, and Daniel realized with cold certainty that Lucy had not run to him by accident.

She had been waiting for him.