Chapter 6 - The Empire Turns on Its King
Raymond Pike talked.
Not immediately.
But by sunrise, he understood the situation.
Financial records connected him to Walsh.
Surveillance proved he had lied about Ethan.
And investigators had obtained the recording.
Pike asked for a lawyer.
By noon, he asked for a deal.
Harper learned the news from her attorney.
She stood in Luca’s kitchen holding the phone.
“What did he say?”
Luca waited.
Harper lowered the phone.
“Pike admitted he went to Ethan’s apartment.”
Paulie looked up.
“And?”
Harper’s voice shook.
“Ethan was alive when he arrived.”
Luca’s expression tightened.
“What happened?”
“They argued.”
Harper swallowed.
“Pike said Ethan threatened to release everything.”
Nico quietly closed his laptop.
Harper continued.
“Pike gave him something. Made it look like an overdose.”
Silence.
Luca approached.
Harper looked at him.
“He killed him.”
“Yes.”
“For money.”
“Yes.”
“I spent eight months thinking maybe I was crazy.”
“You weren’t.”
Harper looked toward the window.
“I should feel better.”
“No.”
She looked back.
“No?”
“Truth doesn’t make death better.”
“Then what does?”
“Nothing.”
She almost laughed.
“That’s terrible advice.”
“I’m not good at advice.”
“No.”
Her mouth curved slightly.
“You really aren’t.”
For the first time since the alley, Luca saw something return to her face.
Not happiness.
But life.
---
Walsh’s empire collapsed faster than anyone expected.
Once Pike cooperated, others followed.
A casino manager provided records.
A bookkeeper surrendered emails.
Two city officials resigned.
Banks froze accounts.
Walsh Hospitality’s board removed Declan as chairman.
And Marcus Bell testified about the surveillance archive.
Nobody fired a shot.
No businesses burned.
No bodies appeared in alleys.
Paulie seemed almost disappointed.
“I’m just saying, twenty years ago this would’ve involved at least three Cadillacs and a warehouse.”
Luca stared at him.
“You miss the old days?”
“My knees don’t.”
Harper laughed.
Paulie looked at Luca.
“See? I’m therapeutic.”
“You’re exhausting.”
“That too.”
Harper’s smile faded when Nico entered.
“What?”
Nico placed his phone on the table.
“Declan made bail.”
Luca stood.
“How?”
“His attorney challenged part of the detention.”
Harper went pale.
“Where is he?”
“Nobody knows.”
Paulie reached for his coat.
Luca stopped him.
“No.”
“What?”
“No hunting him.”
“Luca—”
“He wants us angry.”
Harper whispered, “He’ll come for me.”
Luca looked at her.
“Yes.”
The honesty frightened her more than reassurance would have.
“What do we do?”
“We let him make his final mistake.”
---
At 9:30 that night, Harper insisted on returning to her apartment.
Luca hated the idea.
“It’s predictable.”
“It’s my home.”
“It’s dangerous.”
“I’ve spent a week hiding.”
“Being alive isn’t hiding.”
Harper stepped closer.
“I need one night where Declan doesn’t decide where I sleep.”
Luca stared at her.
Then nodded.
“But Paulie stays downstairs.”
“Fine.”
“And Marcus watches the rear.”
“Fine.”
“And I’m upstairs.”
Harper blinked.
“That seems excessive.”
“It is.”
She smiled.
“Fine.”
At 11:17, someone knocked.
Harper froze.
Luca moved toward the door.
A voice came from the hallway.
“Harper.”
Declan.
She looked at Luca.
He whispered, “Call police.”
Harper shook her head.
Then she opened her phone and began recording.
“Harper,” Declan called again. “I know Moretti’s inside.”
Luca remained silent.
Declan continued.
“You destroyed my life.”
Harper walked toward the door but kept the chain engaged.
“You destroyed it yourself.”
“You stole from me.”
“I copied records.”
“You betrayed me.”
“You killed Ethan.”
Declan slammed his hand against the door.
Harper jumped.
Luca moved forward.
She raised one hand.
Wait.
Declan shouted, “Your brother should have kept his mouth shut!”
Harper’s eyes locked on Luca’s.
There it was.
She spoke carefully.
“So you admit you ordered Pike to kill him?”
Silence.
Then Declan realized.
“You’re recording me.”
Harper’s voice steadied.
“Yes.”
Footsteps suddenly thundered up the stairs.
Declan ran.
Paulie’s voice echoed from below.
“Police! Stairwell!”
Luca opened the door only after officers reached the floor.
Declan Walsh was arrested before reaching the lobby.
Harper stood in the doorway.
Luca came beside her.
“You okay?”
She watched officers lead Declan away.
“No.”
Luca nodded.
May you like
Then Harper took a slow breath.
“But I think I will be.”
