"The diner?"
"The diner."
Samuel paused.
"And the community."
Daniel looked at Maria.
She was smiling.
But before Daniel could answer, Agent Morgan entered.
She had bad news.
"The people behind Harbor Ridge know we are investigating."
Daniel's smile disappeared.
"What does that mean?"
Claire looked outside.
"It means they won't wait."
At 11:30 p.m., the Blue Lantern received its first threat.
A brick crashed through the front window.
Attached to it was a note.
SELL.
Daniel stood in the broken glass.
Maria cried.
Samuel called security.
Agent Morgan photographed everything.
Daniel picked up the note.
"They're scared."
Claire nodded.
"Yes."
Daniel looked at her.
"Why?"
"Because we're close."
The next morning, another threat appeared.
This time, the kitchen door had been forced open.
Nothing was stolen.
Nothing was damaged.
Except one thing.
Daniel's father's photograph had been removed from the wall.
On the back was written:
YOU DON'T KNOW WHO YOU'RE FIGHTING.
Daniel stood silently.
Samuel found him.
"You all right?"
"No."
Samuel nodded.
"Good."
Daniel looked at him.
"Good?"
"Fear means you understand the danger."
Samuel picked up the photograph.
"But courage means you stay anyway."
Daniel looked at his father's face.
Then he nodded.
"I'm staying."
Three days later, a woman entered the diner.
Red coat.
Black sunglasses.
Expensive handbag.
She sat alone.
Daniel served her coffee.
She didn't drink it.
"I represent Harbor Ridge."
Daniel said nothing.
"They want to make you an offer."
"How much?"
"Five hundred thousand."
Daniel nearly laughed.
"No."
"Seven hundred fifty."
"No."
"One million."
Daniel looked at her.
"Still no."
She leaned forward.
"You don't understand what you're refusing."
Daniel smiled.
"I understand exactly."
She lowered her voice.
"You could walk away rich."
Daniel glanced toward his father's photograph.
"I already know what happens when people sell something they love."
The woman stood.
"You'll regret this."
Daniel shrugged.
"Maybe."
She walked out.
Samuel watched through the window.
"Who was she?"
"Someone who thought everything had a price."
Samuel nodded.
"That's their weakness."
"What?"
"They don't understand people who refuse to sell."
Agent Morgan finally obtained the bank records.
The forged payment had originated from an account connected to Harbor Ridge.