Chapter 4 - The Price of Betrayal
Martin Voss called that afternoon.
Daniel put the call on speaker.
“Mara.”
Her hands tightened.
“Martin.”
“You found Patrick's book.”
“Yes.”
“Your father was always stubborn.”
“My father trusted you.”
“That was his mistake.”
Daniel stood across from Mara.
Martin continued.
“Bring the ledger to the old bakery tonight.”
“No.”
“Then perhaps your brother should be careful driving home from work.”
Mara went pale.
Daniel immediately motioned to his men.
Within seconds, someone was calling her brother.
Martin chuckled.
“You can't protect everyone, Carter.”
Daniel spoke for the first time.
“I only need to find you.”
“Still dramatic, Daniel.”
“You killed my father.”
“I ordered a problem removed.”
“My wife was in that car.”
A pause.
“That was unfortunate.”
Mara saw Daniel's fist close.
But his voice remained controlled.
Martin said, “Midnight. Bakery. Mara alone.”
The call ended.
“No,” Daniel said.
Mara stared at him.
“He threatened my brother.”
“Your brother is already being moved somewhere safe.”
“My mother?”
“Protected.”
“My aunt?”
“Protected.”
Mara blinked.
“When did you arrange that?”
“When Voss first called.”
She stared at him.
Daniel turned toward his men.
“We give Voss what he wants.”
Mara followed him.
“You just said no.”
“You're not going.”
“Yes, I am.”
“No.”
She stepped directly into his path.
“You need him talking.”
“We can handle that.”
“He trusts that I'll panic.”
Daniel said nothing.
“And he's right,” Mara continued. “I am terrified.”
“Then why would you go?”
“Because my father spent years protecting us while Martin destroyed everything he built.”
Her voice hardened.
“I want him to know Patrick O’Leary's daughter finished what he started.”
Daniel studied her.
“I'm not asking permission,” Mara said.
“I noticed.”
“So?”
Daniel sighed.
“I'm beginning to regret laughing at you.”
“Too late. We bonded.”
Despite everything, he almost smiled.
At 11:58 p.m., Mara walked into the abandoned bakery.
Dust covered the counters.
The display cases were empty.
Martin stood near the old register.
He looked older.
But she recognized him instantly.
“Mara.”
“You destroyed this place.”
“Your father did that.”
“My father refused to help you steal.”
Martin smiled.
“Patrick was sentimental.”
Mara placed a bag on the counter.
“The ledger.”
Martin approached.
“Open it.”
“No.”
His smile vanished.
“Mara.”
She looked straight at him.
“You know what I remember about you?”
“What?”
“You always underestimated people who served you.”
Martin frowned.
“Waitresses. Bakers. Drivers. Housekeepers.”
Behind him, the back door quietly opened.
Daniel stepped inside.
Martin spun.
Daniel's men appeared from both entrances.
Martin laughed.
“You brought Carter.”
“No,” Mara said.
“He brought me.”
Martin reached inside his coat.
Daniel moved instantly.
“Don't.”
Martin stopped.
Sirens sounded outside.
His face changed.
“Police?”
Mara smiled.
“My father's ledger didn't only contain your transactions.”
Daniel added, “It contained names, accounts, dates and recordings.”
Martin looked between them.
“You gave it to the authorities?”
Daniel's eyes were cold.
“Nine years ago, I would have handled this differently.”
“And now?”
Daniel glanced at Mara.
“Now I want you alive long enough to explain every person you betrayed.”
Police entered.
Martin was taken away.
As he passed Mara, he whispered:
“You think Carter is different from me?”
Mara looked at Daniel.
Then back at Martin.
“Yes.”
“How?”
“Because when I told him no…”
She smiled slightly.
May you like
“He listened.”
---
