Chapter 10: The Trojan Horse
A month passed. The divorce was finalized in record time. With Julian facing federal prison, Sarah Jenkins systematically stripped him of everything. Laura was awarded full legal and physical custody of Maya, the house in McLean, and a massive financial settlement pulled from the legitimate, un-seized assets of the marriage.
Julian’s mother had vanished to Europe, terrified of the IRS investigation Laura had triggered. Chloe Mercer had taken a plea deal and moved back to Ohio.
Life was finally quiet.
It was a Tuesday evening in October. The leaves were turning gold and red, and a crisp chill hung in the air. Laura was in the kitchen, packing Maya’s lunchbox for school, humming a song she hadn’t thought of in years.
Maya was sitting on the living rug, playing with her toys.
“Mommy, can I bring Mr. Bear to show-and-tell tomorrow?” Maya yelled from the other room.
Laura smiled. Mr. Bear was a large, slightly terrifying animatronic teddy bear Julian had bought Maya a few months before everything exploded. It was meant to read stories aloud, but the app that controlled it was always glitchy. Maya rarely played with it, usually preferring her stuffed rabbit.
“I don’t see why not, sweetie,” Laura called back.
She wiped down the counters, feeling a profound sense of safety. The security cameras were on, the alarm was set, and Julian was locked in a federal holding facility in Alexandria awaiting sentencing. They were untouchable.
“Mommy, Mr. Bear is making a weird noise,” Maya said, walking into the kitchen holding the heavy plush toy.
“Is his battery dying?” Laura asked, drying her hands and walking over.
“No, it’s not the talking noise. It’s like a beep. And his back feels hot.”
Laura frowned. She took the bear from her daughter. It did feel strangely warm near the battery compartment in the back. She undid the velcro strip along the spine and pulled out the plastic battery pack.
She grabbed a small Phillips-head screwdriver from the junk drawer and opened the plastic casing.
Laura’s breath caught in her throat, her blood instantly turning to ice.
Tucked next to the AA batteries was a small, black, square device. It wasn't part of the toy’s original wiring. A tiny red light on the device was blinking steadily.
It was a custom-rigged GPS tracker and audio bug. And based on the dust inside the casing, it had been there for months.
Julian hadn't just been controlling her finances. He had been listening to every single conversation in their living room. He had tracked every step Maya took when she carried the bear to the park, to school, to the grocery store.
Suddenly, Laura’s cell phone rang on the counter. The caller ID read: UNKNOWN NUMBER.
She stared at it, the blinking red light of the bug reflecting in her eyes. The safety she had felt just five minutes ago shattered like glass.
Julian might be in a cage, but he was a man who planned for every contingency. A man with dark connections and hidden money she hadn't found yet.
With trembling hands, Laura picked up the phone and pressed answer.
She didn't say a word. She just listened.
For a long moment, there was nothing but static. Then, a low, unfamiliar male voice spoke through the speaker.
May you like
“He says hello, Laura. And he wants me to tell you... you missed a spot.”
The line went dead.
