Chapter 13 - The Dead Man’s Confession
Alexander did not speak during the drive home.
Eleanor tried twice.
He looked out the window both times.
Emily sat across from him.
She understood anger.
She understood betrayal.
She did not understand what it felt like to discover that a dead parent might have chosen ambition over family.
“Marco made the recording,” Emily said.
Alexander did not turn.
“He admitted approving the transfers.”
“He also said he tried to stop Renato.”
“After the attack?”
“We do not know.”
Alexander finally looked at her.
“My mother saw him on the bridge.”
“She may not remember the order of events.”
“Do not protect him.”
“I am protecting the truth from becoming whatever hurts you most.”
His eyes sharpened.
“That sounds like something Eleanor would say.”
Emily looked away.
The damaged recording was restored that evening.
Luca gathered everyone in Marco’s study.
Renato remained missing.
Victoria had returned to her mansion under police protection.
Detective Creed claimed the court aide had acted alone.
No one believed him.
Marco appeared on the screen again.
The recovered section began after several seconds of static.
“I was at the bridge.”
Alexander stopped breathing.
Marco continued.
“Renato told me Eleanor had agreed to remain silent.”
“When I arrived, I realized he had lied.”
“Thomas had already pulled her from the car.”
“I wanted to help.”
“I was afraid.”
“I drove away.”
Eleanor covered her mouth.
Marco lowered his head.
“My wife called my name.”
“I heard her.”
“I left her in the rain.”
“I have lived every day since then knowing Thomas Carter showed more courage for my family than I did.”
Emily closed her eyes.
Marco continued.
“I returned ten minutes later.”
“Eleanor was gone.”
“Thomas was gone.”
“I found blood on the road.”
“Renato said Alexander was safe if I remained silent.”
“I agreed.”
“For that, I do not deserve forgiveness.”
Alexander’s hands trembled.
Marco looked directly into the camera.
“The original ledger is beneath the Harrington Museum.”
“It is stored with the first set of foundation account books.”
“The entrance opens with Nora Carter’s silver key.”
“Nora treated me during my final months.”
“She collected evidence while Dr. Cole poisoned me.”
“She gave the evidence to Lucian.”
“Lucian failed her.”
Lucian lowered his eyes.
Marco took a shaking breath.
“If Renato discovers the ledger is missing, he will destroy everyone connected to Thomas.”
“Emily Carter was twelve years old when her father saved Eleanor.”
“She was inside the town car earlier that evening.”
Emily stared at the screen.
“No.”
Noah looked at her.
“You never told me that.”
“I do not remember.”
Marco continued.
“Emily saw Renato meet Victoria.”
“Thomas gave her medication to make her sleep before he drove Eleanor away.”
“He was trying to protect her from the memory.”
Emily touched her temple.
A sound returned.
Rain against glass.
A man’s silver ring.
Victoria’s perfume.
Her father whispering from the front seat.
Do not open your eyes, Em.
Alexander paused the video.
“You were there.”
Emily stood.
“I do not remember.”
Eleanor reached for her.
“You were sleeping beneath a coat.”
Emily stepped back.
“I remember a woman arguing.”
“Victoria.”
“I remember someone saying Alexander had to die before noon.”
Alexander watched her.
“What else?”
“A man opened the rear door.”
“He saw me.”
“Who?”
Emily closed her eyes.
A face appeared through the rain.
Not Renato.
Younger.
Terrified.
Lucian Price.
Emily opened her eyes.
“Lucian.”
Everyone turned toward the attorney.
Lucian looked ill.
“I tried to take you out of the car.”
“Renato saw me.”
“You left me there.”
“I was afraid.”
Emily laughed bitterly.
“Apparently that was contagious.”
Lucian accepted the insult.
“I told Thomas to get you away.”
“He put you in another car before driving Eleanor to the authorities.”
Emily looked at the video.
“Why did my father return to Chicago after surviving the bridge?”
“He wanted to finish what he started.”
“And you let him meet Victoria alone.”
Lucian did not answer.
That was answer enough.
Mara spread the museum plans across the desk.
“The hidden archive is beneath the eastern gallery.”
“The charity auction begins at eight tomorrow.”
Victoria’s foundation would control security.
Renato’s men would likely be inside.
Alexander looked at Emily.
“You are not going.”
She almost smiled.
“We have already had this argument.”
“This is different.”
“My father died because every powerful person in this story decided protecting me meant keeping me ignorant.”
“I am going.”
Eleanor spoke firmly.
“So am I.”
Alexander stared at his mother.
“You were almost poisoned in a courthouse.”
“I have been almost killed in safer places.”
Noah raised a hand.
“I assume I am forbidden.”
“Yes,” Emily and Alexander said together.
Noah leaned back.
“That usually means I will be useful later.”
The next evening, black vehicles arrived outside the Harrington Museum.
Cameras waited beneath the marble steps.
Victoria stood at the entrance in a crimson gown.
She smiled as Alexander approached.
Then she saw Emily beside him.
Her smile disappeared.
“You truly do not understand when you are defeated.”
Emily climbed the final step.
May you like
“No.”
“My father taught me to return after the first car misses.”
