Re: Chapter 3: Origins
Wednesday, February 8th, 2012. 6.28 AM
Jarrettsville, MD
"...and it was just taped to the door?" Frank asked, studying the note again.
Something about it worried him, all those exclamation marks, but he didn't let it show. If it was related to his work with the Company, he didn't like the fact that whoever had taped it there clearly knew where he lived. He'd been careful to keep his work away from his family. He didn't want to disturb them, but he also didn't like the idea of them heading out where he couldn't protect them.
"Probably meant for someone who used to live here," he said, adding a dismissive edge to his voice that he didn't feel. "I'll ask the neighbors, see if I can find a forwarding address."
Diane looked unconvinced, but didn't push it any further. She finished her coffee and chased Bree upstairs to get her ready for school.
Frank looked over the note again, pouring himself some coffee from the pot on the breakfast bar. He looked at the small black and white image underneath the text. It looked familiar, but he couldn't put his finger on where he might have seen it before.
He pulled out his cell phone and took a picture of the note, then a close up of the image and attached both to an MMS.
[Toby, this was on my door this morning. Think it's Italian. Picture looks familiar too. Any ideas?]
Diane came downstairs, shouted back up to Bree to hurry up once she realised her daughter was no longer in tow. She turned to Frank.
"Have a good day, honey," she said, kissing him. "Don't forget to go to the store."
"Milk, OJ, pancake syrup, anything else?"
"That's all. I love you."
"You too."
Frank waited until he heard the engine sound of the car fading. He went straight through to the study, picked up the phone, dialled the Company, asked for John Burns.
"John? It's Frank," he said. "Something strange has happened, it's got me worried."
Frank explained about the note, about his concerns that someone knew about his work for the Company.
"I need to know my family's safe," he continued. "I need you to send someone to watch out for them - discreetly."