Then Robert's phone rang.
He answered.
“Yes?”
His face changed.
“What?”
He listened.
“Understood.”
He hung up.
Claire looked at him.
“What?”
“We found the vehicle.”
“Where?”
“Two miles from here.”
“Who owns it?”
Robert's expression was grim.
“That's the problem.”
“Why?”
“It's registered to a shell company.”
Daniel swore under his breath.
Claire sat down.
“Who would be interested in Atlas?”
Robert looked at her.
“That is the question we need answered.”
The investigation changed after that.
The federal team increased surveillance.
Two agents remained nearby.
A temporary security detail was established.
Atlas's schedule was altered.
Claire's appointments were adjusted.
Daniel's commute changed.
Emma's future daycare plans were reconsidered.
The house no longer felt like an ordinary suburban home.
It felt watched.
Claire hated that.
She hated looking through the window before stepping outside.
She hated wondering whether a car belonged there.
She hated seeing agents near the gate.
But the worst part was Atlas.
He understood the change.
His behavior became more alert.
He checked doors.
He watched windows.
He woke at small sounds.
One night, Claire found him sitting beside Emma's bedroom door.
“Come here.”
Atlas looked at her.
“It's okay.”
He remained still.
Claire sat beside him.
She rested a hand on his back.
“You don't have to work tonight.”
Atlas looked toward the door.
Claire whispered:
“I'm serious.”
He finally lowered his head.
She leaned against him.
“You're getting old.”
Atlas sighed.
“You hear me?”
His ears twitched.
Claire smiled.
“That's what I thought.”
She stayed there for several minutes.
Then she heard footsteps behind her.
Daniel.
“You okay?”
Claire nodded.
“Just tired.”
Daniel sat beside her.
“I got an update.”
“What kind?”
“They think the surveillance started before Victoria's complaints.”
Claire looked at him.
“How much before?”
“Six months.”
Claire's face tightened.
“That was before we knew anything was wrong.”
“Exactly.”
“Why would anyone watch us?”
Daniel didn't answer.
Claire looked down at Atlas.
Then something occurred to her.
“What if they're not watching us?”
Daniel frowned.
“What do you mean?”
“What if they're watching him?”
Atlas lifted his head.
Daniel stared at the dog.
“You think someone wants Atlas?”
“I think someone wants whatever Atlas knows.”
Daniel's expression hardened.
“Can he know something?”
Claire nodded slowly.
“He was involved in classified training.”