Page 100 of Beyond Protection
Red pins clustered around Ma's neighborhood. Blue ones near Claire's place on Beacon Hill. Green scattered around downtown.
My condo building had so many pins that it looked like a puncture wound.
"Damn," Michael breathed.
Clairmont spread more papers. Schedules reconstructed from surveillance. My flight records. Hotel receipts. Ticket stubs.
"She's been following you for eighteen months and started small—attending games, taking photos from the stands.Escalated six months ago when she began traveling to away games. By October, she was in Seattle. Waiting for you."
I gripped the desk edge to stop the room from spinning.
"We also found evidence of a rental property." Clairmont turned her screen toward me. "A cabin outside Concrete, Washington. Two hours north. Remote."
The listing showed a small structure set back in trees. Single story. Isolated.
"She paid cash for a three-month rental. Began stocking it in early November." Clairmont's fingers moved across her keyboard. "Based on credit card records and delivery confirmations, she purchased restraints. Medical supplies. Non-perishable food. Photography equipment. A climate control system. Everything needed for long-term containment."
I blinked hard.
Eamon's hand landed on my back—steady pressure between my shoulder blades.
"Show him the journal," Marcus said quietly.
Clairmont hesitated. "Mr. McCabe, I'm not sure—"
"Show him." Marcus's voice was stern, unyielding. "He needs to know what's going on here."
She pulled a leather-bound notebook from an evidence bag. Set it on the desk between us.
The cover was expensive—hand-tooled leather.
"This was in her apartment," Clairmont said. "Hidden behind a decorative screen. She called it her conservation project files."
She opened the notebook. The first page was dated eighteen months ago. The handwriting precise. Almost architectural.
Initial observation: Subject exhibits classical proportions. Bone structure optimal. Natural aesthetic grace. Current condition: excellent. Baseline documentation begins.
Clairmont turned the page. Read aloud.
Month 3: Subject maintaining optimal condition. Performance quality high. Beauty consistent across varying environmental factors. No deterioration noted. Continue observation.
Another page.
Month 8: First signs of stress. Visible tension in jaw and shoulders. Sleep deprivation evident. Media pressure taking toll. Deterioration beginning.
The pages kept turning. Each entry colder. More clinical.
Month 12: Condition declining. Subject requires intervention soon. Current handlers inadequate. Professional expertise necessary.
The heat in the room was suffocating. I pulled at my collar.
Month 16: Decision made. Extraction necessary. Preservation protocol to begin December 18th. Subject will initially resist. Temporary restraint required until conditioning takes effect.
Clairmont's voice was flat, toneless.
Phase One: Remove from stimulation. Controlled environment essential. No media. No performance requirements. Begin restoration of optimal condition through proper rest and nutrition.
My knuckles were white as I gripped the chair's arms.
