Page 14 of Enduring Promise

“So someone’s stalking her maybe?”

“The last thing Claire said to the caller was that she’d already sworn she wasn’t going to go public. That she wasn’t going to say anything. She wanted to be left alone.”

“Go public?” Hillary asked curiously. “With what?”

“I don’t know. Claire doesn’t talk to me about what is going on a work. I think much of what they do is confidential. But I do think something serious is going on. The resident line to Willowbrooke Estate is not public information. Whoever trackedher down and got that number is a powerful and determined person.”

“A person trying to make sure Claire stays silent about something. They’re sending a message. We need to know why.”

“I have to get back to the kitchen,” Sophie asserted apologetically. “I truly don’t know anything else, but if there is a way I can help, please let me.”

“I’m not here to spy on Claire,” Hillary said gently. “I wouldn’t do that. I’ve found myself in some tight spots lately and the kindness of strangers has kept me safe. I want to pay that forward.”

Sophie only nodded as she turned and stepped away. Hillary’d have to return to breakfast, sit down next to Claire and pretend all was well. Russ being a journalist had obviously freaked her out. Now, Hillary would have to find a way to prove they were worth trusting.

CHAPTER 14

Russ paced the quiet library, glancing over his shoulder at Hillary every now and then. She looked calm, seated in one of the leather armchairs, her gaze trained on the doorway as if she were willing Claire to appear. He, on the other hand, felt out of place and utterly confused. It wasn’t the first time he’d been baffled when surrounded by women—especially ones as sharp and quick-witted as Hillary and Claire. But he was doing his best to keep up.

He’d watched Hillary slip a note to Claire at breakfast, and he knew it was an invitation to meet them here, in the library. She’d managed it so casually that, if he hadn’t been paying attention, he would’ve missed it entirely. And now, here they were, waiting, hoping that Claire would show up.

So far, it had been twenty minutes, and Russ was beginning to wonder if Claire had decided against it. Something had shifted when the women had stepped away from breakfast, but Hillary wasn’t saying what exactly had happened.

Finally, just as he was about to suggest they try a different tactic, the door creaked open. Claire slipped into the room, closing the door softly behind her. She looked tense, her eyes darting around as though checking for witnesses, andher posture radiated unease. Russ immediately stopped pacing, taking a step back to give her space, while Hillary rose from her seat, a calm, welcoming smile on her face.

“Thank you for coming, Claire,” Hillary said gently, her tone soothing. “We just want to talk. Nothing more.”

Russ noted the way Claire’s shoulders raised with tension when she looked in his direction.

Claire shifted her weight, her gaze moving nervously between the two of them. “I-I don’t have long. My grandmother is expecting me downstairs shortly so I can accompany her on a walk to the lake.”

Hillary nodded understandingly. “We won’t keep you. We just wanted to offer a listening ear. That call you got last night was obviously a problem. Russ and I understand problems. Big ones.”

“If my grandmother has asked you to butt into my life?—”

“She hasn’t,” Hillary replied quickly. “But Madame Fournier has. She’s expressed concern over your safety.”

“My safety? How does she know?—?”

“Does it matter?” Russ asked, knowing his voice would rock Claire, and it did. She looked off-kilter as she answered.

“Of course it matters. She has no business getting involved in my life or what I might be dealing with.”

“You’re right,” Russ agreed. “She really doesn’t. But at this point it sounds as though there is a clear and impending threat on your life, so the blame game of who is overstepping their bounds may have to take a back seat.”

Claire looked uneasy and ready to bolt. He was coming on strong but all from a place of wanting to get her to understand.

“We’re on the run,” Hillary said plainly. “Russ and I are involved in a very high profile and dangerous situation and our lives are in danger. We’ve been moved around and kept alive to ensure when the time comes Russ can help hold the peopleaccountable. People who have blood on their hands. Who have led with corruption and violence. That’s what the two of us are up against, and I think you should know that.”

“Hillary,” Russ bit out with caution in his voice. “We have no idea?—”

“I know,” Hillary agreed, her chin tilted up with confidence. “We have no idea if we can trust Claire with this information. But how else can we get her to trust us?”

She hesitated, looking at both of them as though weighing her options, then finally spoke. “You’re a reporter,” Claire said in an accusing tone. “I can’t have this story get out. There are a lot of reasons why. But I’m not going to confide in someone whose whole job is to get the juiciest story that sells the most papers.”

Russ tensed, his instincts kicking in, but he saw Hillary’s calm, steady expression and held himself back. He trusted her judgment, even if it felt like they were exposing themselves too much too soon.

Hillary kept her voice soft and reassuring. “Claire, I know it’s hard to trust us when you’re not sure of our motives. But we’re genuinely here to help. Whatever is going on in your life, it’s clear you’re feeling cornered, and we understand what that’s like.”

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