Chapter 8 - Evan Had Found More Than Daniel
Evan knew about Victor.
Not everything.
But enough.
Daniel had told him a man from Michael’s old business sometimes followed
him.
That explained Evan’s secrecy.
And the thick stack of cash Laura saw in his bedroom.
It was not all wages.
Some belonged to Daniel.
Daniel had begun doing day labor and gave Evan cash to hold because he
feared it would be stolen at the camp.
Evan hid it in his backpack.
Laura felt another wave of relief mixed with anger.
“You cannot become someone’s bank.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
Evan nodded.
Then admitted something else.
The scrape on his cheek had not come from falling.
A man had confronted him near the creek.
Not Victor.
Someone Evan did not know.
The man asked:
“Where does Daniel keep Mike’s stuff?”
Evan ran.
He slipped down the muddy slope and tore his sleeve.
The stranger did not chase him far.
Laura’s fear sharpened.
She reported it.
Curtis later identified the same man from a photograph.
He was Victor’s employee, Nathan Cole.
Nathan claimed Victor asked him only to find Daniel and offer help.
Police could not treat that claim as automatically false.
But the pattern was concerning.
Laura changed Evan’s routine immediately.
No more creek.
No solo visits.
No carrying cash for adults.
Evan protested.
May you like
Laura held firm.
Kindness did not require a thirteen-year-old to accept adult danger.
