Chapter 6 - The Engineer’s Calculation
Victor Castain wanted an exchange.
The hidden files for Petra.
Saoirse refused.
“No.”
Declan stared at her.
“You're giving him the files.”
“No.”
“Your sister—”
“Is alive because he needs leverage.”
“For now.”
Saoirse spread blueprints across Declan’s desk.
“He chose the old River Street pumping station for the exchange.”
“So?”
“I inspected it last year.”
Declan leaned closer.
She pointed.
“Three entrances. Two service tunnels. One flood-control access corridor Castain probably doesn't know exists.”
Remy grinned.
Declan didn't.
“You're not going.”
Saoirse sighed.
“We've discussed your vocabulary.”
“This isn't funny.”
“I know.”
She looked directly at him.
“That's my sister.”
“And you're injured.”
“And that's your excuse.”
Declan went silent.
Saoirse studied him.
“What are you actually afraid of?”
His eyes met hers.
For once, Declan Marr had no immediate answer.
She understood anyway.
“Oh.”
“Don't.”
“You're afraid I'll get hurt again.”
“Yes.”
The simplicity of the answer stopped her.
Declan stepped closer.
“I can replace money.”
Another step.
“Businesses.”
Another.
“Evidence.”
His voice dropped.
“I cannot replace you.”
Saoirse's expression softened.
“Declan—”
“No speeches.”
“Good. I hate speeches.”
“I noticed.”
She held out her hand.
“Then trust my plan.”
Declan stared at it.
Finally, he took it.
The exchange happened at midnight.
Victor waited inside the abandoned pumping station.
Petra stood beside him.
Terrified but unharmed.
Saoirse walked in carrying a laptop.
Victor smiled.
“The famous engineer.”
“Petra first.”
“Files first.”
“No.”
Victor chuckled.
“You negotiate like Marr.”
“No. Declan negotiates like me.”
Somewhere inside the service corridor, Declan heard that through Saoirse’s concealed microphone.
Remy whispered, “She's going to be unbearable after this.”
Declan almost smiled.
Inside, Saoirse opened the laptop.
“You want the originals?”
“Yes.”
“Then admit the specifications were falsified.”
Victor stared at her.
“You think I'm stupid?”
“No.”
She looked around.
“I think you're arrogant.”
His smile vanished.
Saoirse continued.
“You falsified concrete tests. Paid Mercer. Forged my certification. Planted records pointing toward Marr Maritime.”
Victor stepped closer.
“You have no proof.”
“Actually…”
Saoirse turned the laptop around.
A recording indicator blinked.
Victor laughed.
“You think that matters?”
“No.”
Saoirse smiled.
“But Daniel Mercer’s sworn federal statement does.”
Victor froze.
That was the moment Declan entered.
Not with chaos.
Not with violence.
Simply through the side access door with Remy and two federal investigators behind him.
Victor stared.
Declan looked toward Petra.
“Go.”
Petra ran to Saoirse.
The sisters collided in an embrace.
“You okay?” Saoirse whispered.
“I’m okay.”
Victor looked at Declan.
“You brought federal agents?”
Declan shrugged.
“I've been accused of many things, Victor.”
He glanced at Saoirse.
“Apparently I'm becoming civic-minded.”
Saoirse rolled her eyes.
Victor was taken into custody.
Daniel Mercer testified.
The hidden files authenticated the original test results.
And by sunrise, federal authorities had warrants covering Castain Construction, its shell companies, and the officials it had paid.
Outside the pumping station, Petra hugged Saoirse again.
Then she looked at Declan.
“You're him?”
Declan frowned.
“Him?”
“The terrifying crime boss.”
Remy covered his mouth.
Saoirse sighed.
“Petra.”
“What? Everybody knows.”
Declan looked at Saoirse.
“She talks more than you.”
“Much more.”
Petra smiled.
Then her expression turned serious.
“You saved her?”
Declan looked at Saoirse.
“No.”
He shook his head.
“She saved herself.”
Saoirse held his gaze.
“And you?”
Declan's mouth moved slightly.
May you like
“She may have saved me too.”
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