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“Am I the primary target? Is that what you’re saying?”
“No. I’m saying that the person who installed the spyware was only interested in watching and listening to you. The rest, the communications between you and Gia, the DNA test results, that he could see on either end. If it was on your screen, it was on Gia’s. So there was no need to access her computer, as well.”
“So besides being a criminal, this guy is some kind of pervert?” All the color had drained from Dani’s face. “He’s not only stalking us for some terrifying end, he’s fixated on me?”
Claire squeezed Dani’s hand as she spoke. “He is fixated on you, but he’s not the terrifying monster you’re imagining. And he’s not random.”
Dani stared. “Are you saying I know this sicko?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.” Claire didn’t avert her gaze. “Dani, it’s Gabe.”
Silence.
“Gabe.” Dani repeated the word as if she were tasting a foreign object.
“Yes—Gabe.” Claire could feel Dani’s white shock transform to searing pain as it singed her fingers. But that wasn’t all she picked up on from the physical contact with Dani’s hand. For the first time, she could sense Gabe, get a preliminary insight into him. Fear… inner turmoil… conflict. He was experiencing a myriad of emotions even as he did what he’d been hired to do.
“He’s in love with you,” Claire said, staring off into space. “He has been since you were together in college. He needed to feel close to you. He didn’t know you’d reconnect at the conference the way you did. He might have blown off the money he’s being paid and made different choices.”
“It can’t be Gabe.” Tears were glistening on Dani’s lashes. “He’d never accept a payoff to do something like this to me. You must be wrong.”
“I wish I were. But I’m not.” Claire got a quick glimpse of an image from the past—a small box nestled in Gabe’s jeans pocket with a tiny glistening diamond ring inside. “This isn’t about money, not really. Yours and Gabe’s breakup—it wasn’t mutual. You ended things. He was going to propose to you. But you left him. He’s never accepted that. And he’s never let go. He signed up for this hacker job to get close to you, but he’s in way over his head. He’s scared, Dani, for you and for him. He doesn’t know what to do or how to get out.”
“Oh my God!” Dani sobbed, pulling away her fingers and covering her face with both hands. “Oh my God.”
Claire felt the connection snap as Dani’s hand left hers. The flashes of Gabe and his motives began to fade. So Claire switched gears, instead supplying Dani with the facts she needed to hear. “I can’t explain all the techno details, but Ryan traced the hacker’s IP address back to Cleveland. He then used Gabe’s emails to you to compare the IP address to the hacker’s. It matched. There’s no question that it’s Gabe.”
“I just spoke to him. He was so worried about me.”
“That wasn’t a lie.”
“He even said he’d come to New York to be with me while…” Dani’s voice broke off. “How did he know I was in New York?” she realized aloud. “I told him I was with my family. That would mean Minneapolis. How could I have missed that?”
“You’re on emotional overload,” Claire replied. “Please don’t beat yourself up.”
“He was going to ask me to marry him? When we were in college?”
Claire nodded. “But you broke things off before he could—at least that’s the way he views it.”
“That’s not what happened.” Dani was visibly racking her brain. “We went our separate ways. It was mutual, or at least I thought it was. We needed time and space to evolve as individuals. It never occurred to me…” She swallowed, turning to face Claire. “Does he know the reasons he’s doing this? Is he in on the entirety of things—like hurting Gia and me, or worse?”
“My instincts say no. I think he was misled. Things have changed from when he first started this. He now realizes there’s danger involved. He didn’t before. He’s a wreck. I think he might even be relieved when we confront him.”
Dani stared. “You’re flying to Cleveland?”
“Marc and I are, yes.” Again, Claire spoke gently. “We need information and Gabe needs to be held accountable for what he’s done. And before you ask, no, you won’t be there. In fact, you won’t give Gabe so much as a hint that we’re coming or that you know the truth. Just send him your usual texts. No phone calls. You’ll have plenty of time to confront him. In the meantime, we’ll be there in a few hours.”
“He won’t be home,” Dani said woodenly. “He’ll be at work. Do you need the address?”
“We have it. We’ll be visiting him there. Given the circumstances, I think he’ll clear his schedule.” Once again, Claire reached over and squeezed Dani’s hand. “I’m so sorry. And for what it’s worth, so is Gabe.”“Thank you, Claire.” Dani rose, as did Claire, and Dani dashed the tears off her face. “I’ll be okay. Just find out who’s behind this. Please.”
Cleveland, Ohio
Gabe’s waiting room was conducive to both animals and humans. Twin love seats sat adjacent to each other, upholstered with animal prints. Bowls filled with dog treats sat on the long bench spanning one wall, beside which hung a rack with canine life vests and rehab balls for sale. Animal Wellness and other, more mainstream magazines, were splayed on the end tables, and photos of patient success stories lined the walls. The desk was the only mundane item in the room, containing the usual computer, paperwork, and adjacent printer.
From inside the office space, Claire and Marc could hear the motorized hum of the water treadmill and the occasional words of praise, both from the man who had to be Gabe and the young woman who had to be the pet’s owner.
“Let’s sit,” Marc said to Claire, gesturing at one of the love seats. “Marching into that PT room with accusations is only going to cause a riot. Let’s wait for the client to leave, and we’ll have our face-off before the next one is due.”
