Chapter 3 - The Man Who Buried Daniel Carter
Whitman Cole was waiting inside an abandoned warehouse.
He wasn't alone.
A gray-haired man sat beside him.
My heart stopped.
“Sheriff Bell?”
The retired sheriff who had told me my father was dead stood up.
“Grace.”
I couldn't breathe.
“You buried my father.”
“No.”
His face collapsed.
“I buried an empty coffin.”
I stepped toward him.
Adrian caught my arm.
“Let him talk.”
I pulled free.
“Six years.”
Bell looked ashamed.
“Daniel made me promise.”
“Promise what?”
“To keep you alive.”
Whitman suddenly spoke.
“This sentimental nonsense is getting us nowhere.”
Adrian turned toward him.
“You're remarkably comfortable for a man surrounded by my people.”
Whitman smiled.
“Because I know something you don't.”
“What?”
“Daniel Carter is alive.”
The words hit harder than any bullet.
I stared at him.
“Where?”
Whitman looked at me.
“Your father found evidence that someone inside the Moretti organization was selling names to rival crews. Judges. Officers. Informants. Anyone who could hurt business.”
“Who was selling them?”
Whitman smiled.
“Me.”
Marcus moved forward.
Adrian raised one hand.
Marcus stopped.
Whitman continued.
“Daniel discovered it. Unfortunately, he was too honorable to take money.”
“So you tried to kill him.”
“I arranged an accident.”
Bell interrupted.
“But Daniel survived.”
I turned.
“You helped him disappear.”
Bell nodded.
“He believed they'd come after you.”
“Why didn't he contact me?”
“He wanted to.”
Bell's eyes filled with regret.
“Every year.”
“Then why didn't he?”
Whitman answered.
“Because I sent him photographs.”
My stomach turned.
“What photographs?”
“You leaving school. Working at the flower shop. Going home.”
His smile vanished.
“Daniel understood.”
I lunged.
Adrian caught me around the waist.
“Grace.”
“Let me go!”
Whitman stepped backward.
“You see? Exactly like him.”
I fought Adrian's grip.
“You threatened my father with me?”
“Yes.”
Adrian released me only when Marcus stepped between Whitman and me.
Adrian's voice became terrifyingly quiet.
“Where is Daniel?”
Whitman smiled.
“I'll trade.”
“For?”
“Safe passage.”
Adrian stared at him.
“You betrayed my family for years.”
“And now I have something you want.”
“No.”
Grace turned toward Adrian.
“What are you doing?”
“Whitman doesn't have Daniel.”
Whitman's expression twitched.
Adrian saw it.
“So that's the lie.”
Marcus smiled.
“There.”
Adrian walked closer.
“You know Daniel's alive. You don't know where he is.”
Whitman said nothing.
Bell suddenly reached inside his coat.
Marcus reacted instantly.
“Easy.”
Bell slowly removed an envelope.
“Daniel gave me this.”
My name was written across it.
Grace.
My father's handwriting.
My fingers trembled opening it.
Inside was one page.
Rosie,
If Bell gives you this, then the truth finally caught up with us. Don't come looking for me unless Cole is exposed. As long as he has power, you're safer believing I'm dead.
Below that was an address.
Pennsylvania.
Whitman saw it.
His face changed.
Adrian noticed.
“So now we know something you don't.”
Whitman moved toward the door.
Marcus blocked him.
“Sit down.”
Whitman laughed nervously.
“You can't hold me.”
Adrian looked at him.
“You're right.”
He pulled out his phone.
Whitman's smile returned.
Then Adrian said, “Detective Alvarez? I have the financial records you've been asking for.”
Whitman's face drained.
“What are you doing?”
“Something Daniel taught my father.”
Adrian's gaze never left him.
“Sometimes destroying a man legally lasts longer.”
“You can't give them those records.”
“I can give them yours.”
Marcus tossed a flash drive onto the table.
“Fraud. Extortion. Bribery. Three shell corporations.”
Whitman stared at it.
“You planned this.”
Adrian nodded.
“Since you broke the vase.”
Sirens sounded outside.
Whitman looked toward me.
“This isn't finished.”
I held my father's letter.
“Yes.”
I said it calmly.
“It is.”
Twenty minutes later, police cars surrounded the warehouse.
Whitman Cole left in handcuffs.
I stood outside beneath the rain.
Adrian approached.
“You don't have to go tonight.”
I looked at the Pennsylvania address.
“I've waited six years.”
He nodded.
May you like
“Then we leave now.”
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