The Silent Protection of the Most Powerful Man in Chicago
Adrian did not waste a second.
He slammed the vehicle into drive and accelerated down the dark road.
He left the other car behind in the heavy spray of our tires.
I sat in the passenger seat, my heart racing.
I picked up my phone, which had gone silent.
There was a single missed call from an unregistered number.
Below it was a new text message.
My hands shook so hard I almost dropped the device.
I opened the message.
It was a photograph.
The image showed a dark hallway, illuminated only by a streetlamp outside.
I recognized the wallpaper instantly.
It was my sister Clara’s apartment in Lincoln Park.
Below the photo, there was a single line of text.
*She has a very nice apartment, Emily. It would be a shame if she had to leave it early.*
“Emily?” Adrian asked.
He darted his eyes between the road and my face.
“What is it?” he asked.
“It is Clara,” I whispered.
My voice sounded small and hollow.
“What about her?” Adrian’s voice was sharp.
“They are at her place,” I said.