Chapter 2 

The next morning, Clara found Julian waiting outside her house.

She immediately became suspicious.

“Commander.”

“Miss Vance.”

“I don’t think the military usually visits laundry workers.”

“I wasn’t sent by the military.”

That answer made her more nervous.

Julian looked toward the house.

“Your mother?”

“Ill.”

“Heart?”

Clara stiffened.

“How do you know?”

“Your father mentioned it.”

Her breath stopped.

“When did you speak to him?”

Julian didn’t answer immediately.

“Before he disappeared.”

Clara stepped closer.

“You knew my father?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you tell me yesterday?”

“Because I wasn’t certain how much you knew.”

“And now?”

“Now I believe someone is watching you.”

Clara folded her arms.

“You expect me to believe that?”

“No.”

“Then why are you here?”

Julian reached inside his coat.

He produced a small folded document.

Clara recognized her father’s handwriting immediately.

Her fingers trembled.

“Where did you get this?”

“He gave it to me.”

“When?”

“Two weeks before he vanished.”

She unfolded it.

Only one sentence had been written.

If anything happens to me, protect Clara. Do not trust the Ministry.

Clara looked up.

“What ministry?”

Julian’s expression darkened.

“That’s what I’m trying to discover.”

A horse suddenly screamed outside.

Julian turned.

A shot cracked through the morning.

The window beside Clara exploded.

Julian grabbed her and pulled her to the floor.

Another bullet struck the wall.

“Stay down.”

“Who is shooting?”

“I don’t know.”

He drew his pistol.

Then another shot.

Silence.

Julian moved to the window.

Across the street, a black carriage disappeared around a corner.

He lowered his weapon.

Clara stared at him.

“That was meant for me.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Julian looked at the document.

“Because someone believes your father left something behind.”

“What?”

“I don’t know.”

She stared at him.

“You know more than you’re telling me.”

“I do.”

“Then tell me.”

Julian’s jaw tightened.

“I think your father’s disappearance was planned.”

“By whom?”

He looked toward the road.

“Possibly by your father himself.”

Clara felt something inside her collapse.

“My father abandoned us?”

“No.”

Julian looked directly at her.

“I think he sacrificed himself.”

Before Clara could ask what that meant, a soldier came running toward them.

“Commander!”

Julian turned.

“What?”

The soldier handed him a sealed envelope.

Julian opened it.

His face became completely still.

Clara watched.

“What is it?”

He folded the paper.

“Orders.”

“From whom?”

Julian looked at her.

“From the Ministry.”

His voice dropped.

“They’ve ordered me to leave town tonight.”