Chapter 13 - The Badge
Nora’s team arrived at the courthouse through the upper windows, but the person who entered the trust office walked calmly through the main door. He was a tall man with a silver badge clipped to his belt and rainwater shining on his shoulders.
“Put the weapons down,” he said.
Adam’s face changed. “Deputy Chief Calder.”
Calder looked at Camille. “Miss Rowan, step away from Mara Voss.”
Mara smiled. “You came quickly.”
“I came when I heard there was a hostage situation.”
“You came when you heard the ledger was here.”
Calder’s expression did not move. “You’re making a serious accusation.”
“That’s what the ledger is for.”
Adam shifted in front of Lucy. “You were at Saint Agnes last night.”
“I was not.”
“Your department knew about the attack within minutes.”
“I oversee emergency response.”
“You knew the chapel layout.”
“Everyone in the city knows Saint Agnes has a side entrance.”
Lenore stepped forward. “You wore a blue tie when you came to Rusk’s office.”
Calder looked at her. “I have worn many ties.”
“You did not need money,” Lenore said. “You needed your brother’s conviction erased.”
The room went quiet.
Calder’s hand drifted toward his weapon.
Camille remembered the district attorney’s seal and understood. “Your brother was charged with killing Felix Dane.”
“My brother was framed.”
“And Martin Vale made the evidence disappear.”
“Martin promised to help.”
“He made the first payment to you.”
Calder’s eyes hardened. “You have no proof.”
Camille lifted the packet. “We have a record of the immunity agreement.”
“That is not proof of murder.”
“The ledger connects you to every transfer after it.”
Calder raised his weapon. “Give me the packet.”
Adam aimed at him. “You’re done.”
“You think you can arrest me?” Calder said. “Half the people in this building report to me.”
“Not the ones above you,” Nora said from the doorway. “They report to me.”
Calder fired. Adam shoved Camille aside. The bullet struck the wall. Nora returned fire, hitting Calder’s shoulder. He fell against the safe.
Mara grabbed the packet and ran.
“Stop her!” Adam shouted.
Camille chased Mara into the records room. Shelves toppled as Mara climbed toward a narrow window. The city spread below them, wet and shining.
“You can’t escape,” Camille called.
Mara turned. “Neither can you.”
“You wanted the truth. Take it.”
“The truth killed my father.”
“No. People did.”
Mara looked at the packet. “Do you know what Daniel did after he left you?”
“He tried to expose the Circle.”
“He tried to find me. He came to the house once. Rusk told him I was dead.”
“You saw him?”
“From the stairs.”
Her anger cracked, revealing the child beneath it.
“Why didn’t you go to him?” Camille asked.
“Because I wanted him to suffer.”
“Did it work?”
Mara looked out the window. “No.”
Sirens rose below. Calder’s men were arriving, but so were Nora’s officers.
Mara held out the packet. “Take it.”
Camille did not move.
“You wanted proof.”
“Why are you giving it to me?”
“Because I am tired of being the only person punished for wanting my father.”
Mara stepped onto the fire escape.
Adam appeared behind Camille. “Mara, don’t.”
Mara looked at him. “Your father knew the truth.”
“I know.”
“Ask him why he never told you.”
“He’s dead.”
“Then ask the person who helped him hide it.”
Mara jumped to the next landing and vanished down the stairs.
Camille ran to the window. Two stories below, a black sedan waited with its engine running.
“She had a driver,” Adam said.
Lenore entered the room, breathing hard. “Not a driver.”
She pointed to the sedan.
May you like
Behind the wheel sat a woman with silver hair.
Olivia.
