Chapter 14 - What Mara Carried
Daniel’s revelation drove Claire to the hospital before sunrise. Roman was already there, standing outside Daniel’s room with Susan.
“You told him?” Roman asked.
“He told me.”
Roman looked at the floor. “Mara and I stole money from Dominic.”
“Why?”
“To help people leave. Drivers, accountants, families who wanted out.”
“And you let her take the blame?”
“Dominic caught me first. Mara claimed responsibility because she knew he would kill me.”
“Did he?”
“He tried. Susan interrupted him.”
Susan closed her eyes. “I drugged Dominic’s men and got Roman out of the house. Mara escaped with Daniel.”
“But Dominic followed.”
“Yes.”
Claire looked at Roman. “Why did you never tell Lily?”
“Because Lily believed her mother died in an accident. I could not make her carry the rest.”
“You made the choice for her.”
“I thought I was protecting her.”
“You all use that word when you mean hiding the truth.”
Roman accepted the accusation. “You are right.”
Daniel woke when Claire entered his room. He looked from her to Roman and Susan.
“The final evidence is not in the bell tower,” Daniel said. “That was a decoy.”
Susan frowned. “Mara told me the tower.”
“She wanted you to believe it.”
“Where is it?” Roman asked.
Daniel looked at Claire. “Your bakery.”
Claire’s heart thudded. “The old bakery?”
“Your current bakery. Your father knew you would rebuild in the same neighborhood. He left the evidence where you would feel safe.”
Claire thought of the ovens, the floorboards, the storage room, and the recipes. She remembered a loose brick behind the oldest oven that had never sat flush against the wall.
They returned to Bennett’s Oven with Elena and a small team. Claire removed the brick and found a narrow copper cylinder. Inside was a recording and a key.
The recording began with Dominic’s voice. He ordered an attack on Mara and Daniel, then instructed Peter to arrange the cover story. A second voice answered him.
Victor.
“You promised me the operation,” Victor said.
Dominic replied, “You will inherit nothing until Roman proves useful.”
The recording ended with a crash and Mara shouting.
Lily stood in the doorway, having followed Susan. She had heard enough.
“My mother tried to save everyone,” she said.
Roman knelt in front of her. “She did.”
“And you let me think she was weak.”
“I was wrong.”
Lily slapped him. The sound echoed through the bakery.
Roman did not move.
Lily began to cry. “I hate you.”
“You have the right to.”
Claire put an arm around Lily only after Lily leaned toward her.
Elena listened to the recording twice. “This is enough to obtain a warrant for Victor.”
“Where is he?” Roman asked.
“We believe he is heading to a family property near the river.”
Claire examined the key. It was not brass this time. It was small, black, and stamped with a split crown.
“This opens something else,” she said.
Roman looked at her. “The old Duke chapel.”
“You have a family chapel?”
“We have a family mausoleum.”
“That is worse.”
Susan took the key. Her fingers shook. “Dominic kept a private vault beneath it.”
“Why would Victor go there?” Elena asked.
Roman answered, “Because he believes the original ledger survived.”
The team prepared to move. Claire checked the recording, then looked at Roman.
“If we find the ledger, what will you do?”
“Give it to Elena.”
“Even if it destroys your family?”
“My family destroyed itself.”
He extended his hand, palm open. He did not touch her.
Claire considered it, then placed her hand in his.
The gesture was not forgiveness. It was agreement to face the truth together.
At the edge of the cemetery, Victor called Roman’s phone.
“Bring Claire,” he said. “Bring Susan. If either of you comes with police, Daniel dies.”
Roman’s face went cold.
Claire took the phone. “Victor, you forgot something.”
“What?”
“I am not someone you can order around.”
She ended the call.
Roman stared at her.
“What?” Claire asked.
“You just threatened Victor with a pastry thermometer.”
“It has a sharp end.”
May you like
For the first time, Roman smiled.
Then the cemetery gates locked behind them.
