Digital Copy of a Dead Man

Between Family and Loyalty to a Friend

Daniel

Daniel walked into the room and immediately noticed Camille sitting there. She had just finished her conversation with Adrian, but the look on her face told him that something had happened.

He stopped in front of her, his eyes narrowing slightly. “What did you do?”

Camille didn’t answer.

Daniel frowned and looked at her carefully. “Camille, were you talking to Adrian?”

She remained silent, looking away.

“Camille.”

She said nothing.

Daniel took a slow breath, trying not to lose his patience. “What did you tell him?”

She still refused to answer. Instead, she looked up at him, then down at her hands, her expression growing more irritated by the second.

Daniel stared at her for a moment before sitting down. He reached for the relay and tried to reconnect with Adrian. The connection took a few seconds before it finally opened.

“Adrian?”

There was a brief silence before Adrian answered “Daniel.”

Daniel leaned forward. “Camille just spoke to you, didn’t she?”

“Yes.”

His heart sank slightly. “What did she say?”

Adrian hesitated. “She was angry.”

“I know she was angry. What did she tell you?”

“She wants me to stay away from you.”

Daniel closed his eyes for a moment.

“And she wants Veyron to find me.”

Daniel looked toward Camille, his expression tightening.

“You should withdraw the injunction,” Adrian continued. “I don’t want to put you or your family in any more trouble.”

Daniel immediately shook his head. “No.”

“Daniel—”

“No, Adrian. I’m not withdrawing anything.”

“You have a family.”

“I know.”

“They could come after you.”

“I know that too.”

Adrian was quiet.

Daniel looked down at the relay. “I’ll deal with Camille. Just stay hidden.”

“You should think about what you’re doing.”

“I already have.”

Daniel ended the connection and placed the relay down. He remained seated for a moment, gathering himself before turning toward his wife.

“Camille, we need to talk.”

She gave him an irritated look. “About what?”

“About what you just did.”

“I did what I had to do.”

“You contacted Adrian.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because somebody has to make him understand that this needs to stop.”

Daniel rubbed his forehead, trying to keep his voice calm. “Camille, listen to me.”

“No, you listen to me. You keep acting like this is some normal situation. It’s not. That thing is inside a computer somewhere, Veyron is looking for it, and you’re standing here acting like you can save him.”

“His name is Adrian.”

“I don’t care what his name is!”

“Camille.”

“No, Daniel. I’m tired of this. I’m tired of you risking everything for someone who is already dead.”

Daniel remained calm, though his jaw tightened. “I understand that you’re afraid.”

“Afraid? Of course I’m afraid!”

“I know.”

“No, you don’t. You don’t understand what you’re doing to this family. You filed an injunction against one of the most powerful companies in the country. You brought them into our lives. You made yourself a target, and now you’re telling me everything will be fine.”

“I never said everything would be fine.”

“Then what exactly are you doing?”

“Trying to protect us.”

She let out a bitter laugh. “By fighting Veyron?”

“Yes.”

“That makes no sense.”

Daniel waited until she stopped for a moment. He could feel his patience thinning, but he forced himself to remain composed. “Camille, I have a plan.”

She opened her mouth again, but Daniel raised a hand.

“Just listen to me for one minute.”

She reluctantly stayed where she was, though her expression remained hard.

“I’ve already started making arrangements for us. I’ve been working on travel documents for you and our son. I want the two of you out of the country before this gets worse.”

Camille stared at him.

Daniel continued, “I’m not trying to put you or our son in harm’s way. That’s the last thing I want. I want you both somewhere safe while I deal with this.”

But Camille’s expression hardened again. “So that’s your solution? You send us away while you stay here and play hero?”

“I have no choice.”

She snorted out a bitter laugh. “Really…? You should have taken the money when you had the chance. Instead, you chose him.”

Daniel’s jaw tightened. He turned and picked up the relay from his desk, his fingers closing firmly around it.

“Wait… are you aware this thing Veyron gave to me would have killed me, if not for Adrian? So yes, I’ll choose him.”

Camille opened her mouth to say something, but Daniel raised a finger.

“Don’t interrupt me,” he finally snapped.

His voice was sharper this time, and the frustration he had been holding back finally broke through.

“You are only ever concerned about yourself and money… are you even concerned about the fact that that thing almost killed me?”

Camille tried to speak.

“I said don’t interrupt me.” Daniel’s chest rose and fell heavily as he struggled to control his anger “Maybe you wish I actually died if it means you getting that five million from Veyron.”

“What?”

Daniel took a slow breath, his anger settling into exhaustion. “I don’t need us to keep fighting, okay? You and Max’s travel documents will be ready in a day or two. I’ll ensure both of you are not in any harm’s way.”

Camille stared at him for a moment, her face still tense with anger.

Daniel continued speaking, trying to make her understand. “I’m doing this because I want you and Max safe. I don’t want either of you anywhere near this when things get worse, so just—”

Camille turned and walked away while he was still talking.

“Camille.”

She didn’t stop.

“Camille, wait. I’m still talking to you.”

She kept walking.

Daniel watched her disappear down the hallway, his frustration slowly giving way to exhaustion. He stayed where he was, staring at the empty doorway.

A few seconds later, he heard footsteps from upstairs. Then his son appeared, standing at the top of the stairs and looked down at his father.

Daniel stared at him. “What are you doing up there?”

The boy shrugged innocently. “Nothing.”

Daniel narrowed his eyes. “Come here.”

The boy slowly came down the stairs, still wearing the innocent expression that Daniel knew better than to trust. “What did you do?”

“Nothing.”

“Why do you keep saying nothing?”

“Because I didn’t do anything.”

Daniel sighed.

His son looked toward the hallway where Camille had disappeared, then back at him. “Is Mom angry again?”

Daniel leaned back in his chair. “Yes.”

The boy nodded as if that confirmed something he already knew. “Okay.”

Daniel frowned. “Okay?”

The boy shrugged. “I’ll stay out of her way.”

Daniel almost laughed despite himself. “That would probably be a good idea.”

The boy turned as if he was about to leave, then stopped. “Dad?”

“What?”

“Are we leaving?”

Daniel went still.

The boy looked at him curiously. “I heard you and Mom talking.”

Daniel studied him for a moment. “Go to your room.”

“But—”

“Now.”

The boy sighed dramatically and started walking away.

Daniel watched him disappear upstairs before looking back at the relay on the table.

The house had never felt this tense before.