Federal investigators traced the warehouse.
They discovered a private security company.
Then another.
Then a consulting firm.
All connected through the same network of contractors.
At the center was a name Claire had never heard.
Victor Hale.
A former intelligence contractor.
A man who had disappeared from government work years earlier.
A man who specialized in recovering sensitive assets.
Claire stared at his photograph.
“What does he want?”
Robert answered.
“We don't know.”
“That's not good enough.”
“I know.”
“Then find out.”
Robert nodded.
“We're trying.”
Meanwhile, Victoria received a visit.
Not from the federal government.
From Gregory Pierce.
He arrived at her house just after sunset.
Victoria opened the door.
“What are you doing here?”
Gregory smiled.
“You're having trouble.”
Victoria's expression hardened.
“I don't need help.”
“You clearly do.”
He stepped inside without waiting.
Victoria stared.
“You can't just walk in.”
“I think you and I both know that isn't the real issue.”
“What do you want?”
Gregory looked around.
“You made a mistake.”
Victoria folded her arms.
“What mistake?”
“You went after the dog.”
Victoria's face changed.
“You knew about him?”
Gregory smiled.
“I knew enough.”
“Then why didn't you warn me?”
“Would you have listened?”
Victoria didn't answer.
Gregory walked toward the window.
“Do you know what that dog is capable of?”
“Yes.”
“No.”
He turned.
“You think he's trained to protect Claire.”
“He is.”
“He's trained to recognize people.”
Victoria frowned.
“What people?”
“People who shouldn't be recognized.”
She stared.
“What does that mean?”
Gregory smiled.
“You'll understand soon.”
Victoria took a step back.
“I don't want anything to do with this.”
“Too late.”
He placed a small envelope on the table.
Then walked toward the door.
Victoria picked it up.
“What is this?”
“Insurance.”
She opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
It showed Claire.
Pregnant.
Walking into a federal facility.
Victoria stared.
Her face went pale.
“When was this taken?”
“Before you met her.”
Victoria looked at him.
“Why were you watching her?”
Gregory smiled.
“That is the question you should be asking yourself.”
Then he left.
Victoria stood alone in the living room.
The photograph shook in her hand.
For the first time, she realized she had never understood what had been happening around her.
She had thought Claire was simply difficult.
She had thought Atlas was simply a dog.
She had thought Gregory was simply another board member.
Now she wasn't sure about anything.
She looked at the photograph again.
Claire was smiling in it.
Unaware she was being watched.