Chapter 4 - Dinner With a Traitor
The next evening, Richard Cole walked into Leon’s at 10:17.
I served him.
Dominic hated the plan.
That was partly why I liked it.
Cole smiled when I approached.
“Miss Bennett.”
“Mr. Cole.”
“Have you considered our conversation?”
“I found the ledger.”
His smile vanished.
“Where?”
“Safe.”
“You should give it to me.”
“Why?”
“Because your father stole it.”
“My father died because of it.”
Cole leaned back.
“Careful.”
I placed his wine down.
“Was that a threat?”
“It was advice.”
From table four, Dominic watched us.
Cole noticed.
“You've made an interesting friend.”
“Dominic?”
“Men like Vance don't have friends.”
“And men like you?”
“We survive.”
I leaned closer.
“Did you kill my father?”
Cole's eyes hardened.
“No.”
“Did you order it?”
Silence.
That was enough.
I stepped back.
“Tomorrow. Pier Nineteen.”
“Midnight?”
“Midnight.”
“Bring the ledger.”
“You bring the truth.”
Cole smiled.
“You really are Michael’s daughter.”
I returned to Dominic.
“Well?”
“He practically admitted it.”
“That isn't enough.”
“I know.”
Dominic studied me.
“You’re shaking.”
“I’m angry.”
“Same thing sometimes.”
I looked at him.
“Why are you helping me?”
His expression changed.
“My father knew Michael was in danger.”
“And?”
“He did nothing.”
I stared at him.
“Why?”
“Protecting the company mattered more.”
“That makes him responsible.”
“Yes.”
I hadn’t expected him to agree.
Dominic continued.
“I inherited his businesses. His enemies. His reputation.”
“And his guilt?”
“No.”
His gray eyes met mine.
“That part I chose.”
I didn't know what to say.
He leaned forward.
“When this is over, I’m giving every record we have about your father to the authorities.”
“Even if it hurts the Vance family?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you were right the first night.”
“About what?”
“Powerful men forget people in uniforms are still people.”
I smiled faintly.
“You actually listened.”
“I listen to everything you say.”
“That sounds exhausting.”
“It is.”
For one second, neither of us moved.
Then Carlo appeared.
“Daisy.”
His face was pale.
“What?”
“Your brother called.”
My stomach dropped.
“Noah?”
Carlo nodded.
“He said someone was following him.”
Dominic was already standing.
“Where?”
“Outside his college.”
Dominic grabbed his coat.
I followed.
“I'm coming.”
“No.”
“Dominic.”
“Daisy, not this time.”
“He’s my brother.”
“That’s why.”
I stepped directly in front of him.
“You don't get to shut me out.”
His jaw tightened.
“And you don't get to make me choose between protecting you and protecting him.”
I stopped.
The restaurant suddenly seemed very quiet.
Dominic lowered his voice.
“Stay here.”
“Bring Noah back.”
“I will.”
“You promise?”
His expression softened.
“Yes.”
Then he left.
Forty minutes passed.
Then fifty.
At fifty-three, my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
“Hello?”
Richard Cole laughed.
“You should have given me the ledger.”
My blood turned cold.
“What did you do?”
“Ask Vance.”
The line disconnected.
Thirty seconds later, Dominic called.
“Daisy.”
“Where’s Noah?”
Silence.
“Dominic.”
“We got him.”
I nearly collapsed.
“He’s okay?”
“Yes.”
“Then what's wrong?”
Another silence.
“One of my men was working for Cole.”
“Who?”
Dominic answered.
“Carlo.”
I slowly looked toward the service station.
Empty.
And suddenly I understood.
Carlo had known my schedule.
My address.
My family.
Everything.
Then I saw something beneath table four.
A phone.
Carlo's phone.
Its screen lit.
One message appeared.
SHE STILL HAS THE LEDGER. TAKE HER NOW.
I looked toward the front entrance.
May you like
Three men were walking through the doors.
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