Page 64 of Silent Stalker
Silas’s finger traces my jawline as he regards me with those penetrating eyes. “You think I haven’t planned for this? I’ve orchestrated every detail.”
My breath catches as he outlines his strategy: multiple false identities, untraceable accounts, a network of safe houses across different countries, digital footprints scrubbed clean, and evidence planted to lead investigators down dead ends.
“The murders will remain unsolved. Detective Marsden will chase shadows while we disappear.” His voice carries absolute certainty. “I’ve arranged everything down to the smallest detail.”
I blink, stunned by the thoroughness of his preparation. “But how did you get the resources for all this? The money?—”
His finger presses against my lips. “That conversation can wait. What matters now is that we have options.” He pulls me closer. “I have a cabin in northern Canada. Remote. Luxury amenities. No neighbors for miles.”
“A cabin?” My voice comes out small.
“And a private jet fueled and waiting at a private airstrip. We can be there in hours, completely off the grid.” His thumb strokes my bottom lip. “Everything’s ready.”
The scale of his planning leaves me speechless. While I’ve been investigating murders and falling for him, he’s been crafting our escape route with surgical precision.
“You really thought of everything,” I whisper.
“I told you, Clara. I don’t leave anything to chance.”
I pull away from Silas’s embrace, my stomach twisting. “What about my father? Right before Christmas, I can’t just vanish in the middle of this case.” The image of Dad sitting alone in his room at Evergreen Care Home makes my chest ache. “He barely remembers me most days but always knows when it’s Christmas.”
Silas’s fingers trace patterns on my bare shoulder. “Your father’s condition is deteriorating rapidly. The staff mentioned he might not make it through winter.”
“How do you know that?” I prop myself up on one elbow, staring at him.
“I make it my business to know everything about you.” His hand slides down my arm. “The care home records aren’t exactly Fort Knox.”
I shiver, both from his touch and the casual admission of accessing private medical files. “That’s exactly my point. I need to be there for him, especially now. And James will know something’s wrong if I suddenly bail on the investigation.”
“You could tell them you received an emergency call about a family member in another state. A cousin perhaps, or an aunt who needs immediate assistance.” His blue eyes lock onto mine. “The holidays are a perfect cover for sudden travel.”
“James knows I don’t have any family.” I sink back against the pillows. “He’d see right through it.”
“Then perhaps it’s time for Dr. Clara Hart to have a breakdown.” Silas props himself up, hovering over me. “The stress of the case, the gruesome nature of the murders, your father’s declining health—it would be completely understandable if you needed to take a leave of absence.”
I blink up at him. “You want me to fake a mental health crisis?”
“It’s the perfect solution,” Silas murmurs, his fingers trailing down my spine. “Think about it. The stress has been visible on you since it started ten days ago. James has watched you spiral deeper into this case.”
My teeth catch my lower lip as I consider his words. He’s right. I’ve been showing clear signs of strain. The sleepless nights, the jumpiness, and my increasing distraction during investigations. Even this morning, my hands shake slightly as I run them through my tangled hair.
“James texted me last night while we were… busy,” I admit, thinking of the thrill of the chase. “Said he’s confident they have enough physical evidence to make an arrest soon. He thinks they’ve identified the killer’s pattern.”
Silas’s hand pauses on my back. “Did he share his theory?”
“No, but he seemed... smug. Like he’s got it all figured out.” I turn to face Silas.
“Your father...” Silas’s voice takes on a darker edge. “The man who left you alone for hours while he drank himself into oblivion. Who made you fend for yourself through childhood. Why put your life on hold for him now?”
I flinch at the raw truth in his words. “He’s still my dad.”
“Then say goodbye.” Silas cups my face. “Go to Evergreen. Have your moment. But don’t let misplaced guilt trap you here.”
My throat tightens. “And James?”
“Stop by the precinct after. Check if they’ve made any breakthroughs.” He reaches into his jacket, pulling out a smallsilver pin. “Wear this on your lapel. I’ll be watching, making sure they haven’t pieced anything together. I’ll also stay nearby at all times in my car.”
I examine the pin. It resembles a normal brooch, but I spot the tiny camera lens. “You want to spy on the investigation?”