Chapter 11 - The Second Glass
Harper stared at the screen.
The woman was older.
Her hair had gone gray.
But it was Margaret Carter.
Her mother.
Alive.
Thomas collapsed into a chair.
“No.”
Harper turned on him.
“You didn’t know?”
“I watched her die.”
“So did we.”
The video cut.
Victor immediately called the estate.
No answer.
They returned.
The study was empty.
The ledger was gone.
On Victor’s desk sat two bourbon glasses.
One contained amber liquid.
The other was empty.
Harper approached.
Victor stopped her.
“Don’t touch them.”
A note rested between them.
ONE SAVED YOU. ONE WILL KILL SOMEONE YOU LOVE.
Harper’s hands went cold.
Thomas whispered, “Margaret.”
Harper looked at him.
“Tell me everything.”
Thomas finally did.
Margaret had worked with him on the Romano accounts.
When Thomas discovered Salvatore’s operation, Margaret wanted to go to the police.
Thomas wanted to trust Antonio.
Their marriage fractured.
Then Margaret’s car went into the Hudson.
No body was recovered.
Thomas had assumed Salvatore killed her.
He had been wrong.
“Maybe she joined Luca,” Victor said.
Thomas shook his head.
“Not willingly.”
Harper noticed something beneath the second glass.
A photograph.
It showed Margaret held beside Evelyn.
On the back:
BRING HARPER TO THE OLD CARTER HOUSE.
Harper knew the place.
Her childhood home.
Victor said, “No.”
“I’m going.”
“It’s a trap.”
“Obviously.”
“That doesn’t mean we walk into it.”
“My mother is alive.”
Victor stepped closer.
“So are you.”
Harper looked at him.
The room seemed suddenly quieter.
Victor’s voice lowered.
“I’m not trading you for anyone.”
“That isn’t your decision.”
“No.”
He looked at her steadily.
“It’s yours.”
Harper’s anger softened.
“Then help me make it work.”
They devised a plan.
Harper would enter alone.
Victor’s team would surround the property.
Thomas and Caleb remained behind.
At midnight, Harper stood outside the house where she had grown up.
The porch sagged.
Windows were boarded.
She entered.
“Mom?”
Silence.
Then a lamp turned on.
Margaret Carter sat at the kitchen table.
Alive.
Harper forgot every speech she had prepared.
“Mom.”
Margaret cried.
Harper did not move.
“You left us.”
“I had to.”
“No.”
Harper’s voice broke.
“Dad said that too. Everyone keeps abandoning me and calling it protection.”
Margaret covered her face.
“I’m sorry.”
“Are you working for Luca?”
“No.”
“Then why take the ledger?”
“Because Luca can’t be allowed to see the last page.”
Harper froze.
“What’s on it?”
Margaret looked toward the stairs.
“Proof that Salvatore wasn’t the beginning.”
A floorboard creaked overhead.
Harper looked up.
Margaret whispered, “We’re not alone.”
Victor’s voice suddenly came through Harper’s hidden earpiece.
“Harper, get out.”
She backed toward the door.
Then someone locked it from outside.
A man began descending the stairs.
May you like
Margaret stood.
And Harper saw Antonio Romano’s ring on his hand.
