Chapter 5 - The Recording
Ethan Collins’ voice filled the room.
“You’re laundering money through the casinos.”
Harper gripped the edge of the table.
Declan Walsh answered.
“You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I have the transfers.”
Then Pike.
“Give me the drive, Ethan.”
“You’re a cop.”
“Give me the drive.”
“You’re supposed to arrest him.”
Declan laughed.
“Raymond works for whoever pays him.”
Harper closed her eyes.
The recording continued.
Ethan said, “My sister has copies.”
Harper’s eyes opened.
Luca looked at her.
She whispered, “I didn’t. Not then.”
Ethan had lied to protect himself.
On the recording Declan said, “Then perhaps we should speak with your sister.”
Ethan shouted, “Stay away from her.”
The argument became louder.
Then came the strike visible on the video.
Ethan left.
But the microphone continued recording.
Pike spoke first.
“He’s a problem.”
Declan answered.
“Then solve it.”
Harper stood abruptly.
Nico stopped playback.
Nobody spoke.
Finally Marcus said, “There’s more.”
Harper shook her head.
“I heard enough.”
Luca approached her.
“You don’t have to stay.”
“I want him arrested.”
“We’re close.”
“No.”
She looked directly into Luca’s eyes.
“I want him arrested tonight.”
Luca nodded.
“Then tonight.”
---
Luca made three calls.
The first went to a federal prosecutor he had never liked.
The second went to an investigative journalist Declan had sued twice.
The third went to an attorney representing Harper.
By midnight, copies of the evidence existed in six different places.
Paulie looked impressed.
“You’re really doing it.”
“Doing what?”
“Handing away leverage.”
“It’s Harper’s evidence.”
Paulie stared at him.
“You have changed.”
“No.”
“Little bit.”
“Paulie.”
“Fine.”
Harper entered.
“Someone leaked that I’m alive.”
Luca turned.
“Who?”
“I don’t know.”
Her phone rang.
Unknown number.
Everyone looked at it.
Harper answered on speaker.
“Hello?”
Declan’s voice.
“Harper.”
Her hand tightened.
Luca said nothing.
Declan continued.
“You’ve caused quite a problem.”
“You killed Ethan.”
“No.”
“I heard you.”
A pause.
Then Declan laughed.
“You heard a conversation.”
“You ordered Pike to solve the problem.”
“You’re emotional.”
Harper’s expression changed.
Fear disappeared.
“You always say that.”
“What?”
“Whenever someone notices what you are.”
“Careful.”
“No.”
Luca watched her.
Harper continued.
“You told me I was confused when I found the accounts. You told Ethan he was confused when he confronted you. You tell everyone they’re confused because the truth scares you.”
Declan’s voice hardened.
“You think Moretti can protect you?”
Harper looked at Luca.
“I think you’re finished.”
Declan hung up.
Paulie exhaled.
“Well.”
Nico smiled.
“That was satisfying.”
Luca did not smile.
“He’s moving.”
“How do you know?” Harper asked.
“Because he stopped pretending.”
Luca turned to Paulie.
“Watch the airport.”
Nico said, “And train stations.”
“Don’t stop him.”
Harper frowned.
“Why?”
“Because we’re not law enforcement.”
“Then what if he escapes?”
Luca looked at her.
“He won’t.”
---
At 2:11 a.m., Declan Walsh’s private plane requested departure clearance.
At 2:14, the federal prosecutor received the financial records.
At 2:21, a judge signed the first warrant.
At 2:39, investigators entered Walsh Financial.
At 3:06, Detective Raymond Pike was detained leaving his vacation property.
At 3:32, police arrived at the airport.
And at 3:41, Declan Walsh called Luca Moretti.
Luca answered.
“You did this.”
“No.”
“You gave them everything.”
“Harper did.”
“You chose her over a twenty-year agreement.”
Luca’s voice remained calm.
“There was no agreement allowing you to murder her brother.”
“You think you won?”
“This wasn’t my fight.”
Declan laughed bitterly.
“You’re a criminal pretending to have principles.”
Luca looked across the room at Harper.
“No.”
He answered quietly.
“I’m a criminal who knows exactly what I am.”
Then he hung up.
Harper stared at him.
“Is it over?”
Luca shook his head.
“Not yet.”
“Why?”
“Because Pike is still alive.”
May you like
“And?”
“Alive men talk.”
