Chapter 13 - The Last Name in the Ledger
Elaine had disappeared from protective custody.
Victor wanted them at the old Lane house.
Harper recognized the trap.
She went anyway.
So did Adrian.
But they did not go alone.
Cole and Charles entered through the rear.
Police units waited beyond the block.
Harper walked through the front door with Adrian.
Victor sat at the kitchen table.
Elaine was tied beside him.
The old height marks remained on the wall.
Harper saw herself at five.
Six.
Seven.
Victor gestured toward the table.
“Sit.”
Adrian didn't.
Victor looked at Harper.
“You could inherit everything.”
“I don't want it.”
“You don't know what everything means.”
“I've met Adrian. Apparently it means terrible coffee and being shot at.”
Adrian glanced at her.
Even Elaine almost smiled.
Victor didn't.
“You think he loves you?”
Harper said nothing.
“He doesn't know how.”
Adrian's expression remained still.
Victor continued.
“Men like us possess. We don't love.”
Harper looked at Adrian.
Then back at Victor.
“That's the difference between you.”
Victor's face tightened.
Harper stepped toward her mother.
Victor raised his gun.
Adrian moved.
“Take me.”
Victor laughed.
“You?”
“You've wanted Crowe Meridian for nineteen years.”
“I want the bloodline.”
“You want control.”
Adrian placed a flash drive on the table.
“Every account. Every remaining asset.”
Victor's eyes flickered.
Greed.
There it was.
Harper understood Adrian's plan.
Victor reached.
Adrian kicked the table.
Harper dropped.
Elaine threw herself sideways.
Gunfire erupted.
Cole entered.
Charles came through the kitchen.
Victor ran.
Adrian followed him into the basement.
Harper freed Elaine.
Then she heard a shot.
She ran downstairs.
Victor stood near the old furnace.
Adrian faced him.
Blood marked Victor's shoulder.
His gun lay nearby.
Adrian could kill him.
Everyone knew it.
Victor smiled.
“Do it.”
Adrian looked at Harper.
She said nothing.
This had to be his choice.
Adrian lowered his weapon.
“No.”
Victor's smile vanished.
“You're weak.”
“No.”
Adrian stepped backward.
“You're just no longer important enough to kill.”
Police flooded the basement.
Victor was taken away alive.
It should have ended there.
But Charles approached the old furnace.
“There's something behind this wall.”
They broke through plaster.
A steel compartment appeared.
Inside was a sealed envelope.
FOR ADRIAN AND HARPER.
Harper opened it.
Daniel's handwriting.
One sentence.
Alexander wasn't the only Crowe who knew the truth.
Below it was a name.
Harper read it.
Then looked at Adrian.
“Who is Evelyn Crowe?”
Adrian went completely still.
“My mother.”
Harper swallowed.
“I thought she died when you were a child.”
“She did.”
Charles stared at the letter.
Then someone knocked on the basement door.
Three slow knocks.
May you like
A woman's voice came from the other side.
“Adrian?”
