Chapter 5 - The Funeral of Lies
Three days later, St. Patrick’s Cathedral was filled with Chicago’s elite.
Daniel Whitmore stood near the altar dressed in a tailored black suit, his face sculpted into a picture of silent, heroic grief. Beside him sat Claire in a wheelchair, draped in a black veil, her head bowed as if crushed by the weight of her loss. Vanessa Cole sat three rows back, wearing a modest dark dress, wiping away an occasional, calculated tear for the press cameras positioned outside.
The coffins at the front of the church were small, polished rosewood.
And entirely empty.
As the priest delivered a homily about innocent angels returning to heaven, Claire watched Daniel out of the corner of her veil.
Underneath her black dress, Claire was wearing a hidden wire provided by Marcus’s team. A tiny receiver clipped to her inner thigh was broadcasting every ambient sound within twenty feet straight to a Vance Security surveillance van parked two blocks away.
Daniel leaned down, pressing his lips to Claire’s ear. “You’re being so strong, darling,” he whispered softly. “I’m so proud of you.”
“I don't know how I’m going to go on, Daniel,” Claire whimpered, keeping her voice high and trembling. “The house feels so empty.”
“We’ll get through this,” Daniel lied smoothly. “I’ve arranged for you to spend a few weeks at the estate in Aspen. Fresh air, quiet time. Vanessa and the corporate team will handle the company while I stay close to you.”
He wants me out of the city, Claire thought. He wants me hidden away in Colorado so I don't ask questions while they begin the clinical testing.
“Thank you, Daniel,” Claire murmured, squeezing his hand. “You’re so good to me.”
After the service, as the guests moved toward the church steps, Vanessa approached Claire’s wheelchair.
“Claire,” Vanessa said, kneeling down with an expression of deep sympathy. “If there’s anything I can do for the company while you recover... please, don't worry about a thing. Daniel and I have everything under control.”
“Thank you, Vanessa,” Claire said, her eyes fixed on the mistress’s face. “You’ve always been so dedicated to what belongs to my family.”
Vanessa’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second, a flicker of unease passing through her eyes before she recovered. “We just want what’s best for Whitmore Medical.”
As Daniel pushed Claire toward the waiting limousine, Marcus’s voice crackled through a microscopic earpiece hidden inside Claire’s ear canal.
“Claire, we just intercepted a text from Vanessa to Daniel. She says: 'The facility in Westchester is ready. Phase One extraction starts at midnight. We’re on schedule.'”
May you like
Claire leaned her head back against the leather seat of the limousine and closed her eyes.
“Marcus,” Claire thought, knowing the wire would catch her whispered words as she pretended to rest. “Get the assault team ready. We’re going to Westchester.”
