Chapter 7 - The Enemy Under His Roof
Victor did not point a gun at Harper.
That frightened Daniel more than it frightened her.
“Search her room,” Daniel said.
Victor looked at him.
“I give orders here.”
Daniel stiffened.
Victor took the intercepted phone.
The message had come from Thomas’s number.
Harper shook her head.
“He wouldn’t say that.”
“You haven’t spoken to him in twelve years,” Daniel replied.
“She saved Victor.”
“She may have needed his trust.”
Harper turned on him.
“If I wanted him dead, I could have left the bourbon on his desk.”
Daniel had no answer.
Victor did.
“Exactly.”
He ordered everyone out except Harper.
“You trust me?”
Victor leaned against the desk.
“I trust what you did when you thought nobody important was watching.”
Harper remembered Evelyn’s insult.
You are nothing.
Victor continued.
“People reveal themselves around people they consider invisible.”
“And what did I reveal?”
“That you had thirty thousand dollars within reach, a poisoned man beside you, and every reason to run.”
He stepped closer.
“You took nothing.”
Harper looked down.
“That doesn’t make me trustworthy.”
“No.”
Victor’s voice softened.
“It makes you interesting.”
Harper almost smiled.
Almost.
Then Victor said, “We’re going to let them believe I doubt you.”
That afternoon, Harper was publicly confined to her room.
By evening, rumors spread.
The maid had betrayed Victor.
Victor planned to kill her.
At midnight, someone unlocked Harper’s door.
She pretended to sleep.
Footsteps entered.
A figure searched her dresser.
Harper waited.
Then switched on the lamp.
Daniel stood beside her bed.
He held the red ledger.
Harper’s heart stopped.
“You.”
Daniel smiled.
“Me.”
He raised a gun.
“You were supposed to find this months ago.”
Harper stayed still.
“Arthur works for you?”
“Arthur works for money.”
“And Evelyn?”
“Fear.”
“My father?”
Daniel’s smile disappeared.
“Complicated.”
“You sent the message.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“To make Victor kill you.”
Harper heard movement outside.
Daniel did too.
He grabbed her.
Gun against her ribs.
The door opened.
Victor stood there.
Daniel laughed.
“You really did trust the maid.”
Victor’s expression was empty.
“Let her go.”
“No.”
Daniel backed toward the balcony.
Harper saw Victor’s eyes move.
Once.
Toward her left hand.
She understood.
She dropped.
Victor fired.
Daniel’s weapon flew away.
Harper rolled aside.
Guards rushed in.
Daniel was captured alive.
Victor crouched beside Harper.
“You hurt?”
“No.”
His hand remained on her shoulder for a second longer than necessary.
Then Daniel started laughing.
Victor stood.
“What?”
“You still don’t understand.”
Daniel looked at Harper.
“I’m not the one Thomas warned you about.”
A guard’s radio crackled.
A panicked voice came through.
“Mr. Romano, we’ve lost the east wing.”
Victor grabbed the radio.
“What happened?”
“Someone opened every exterior gate.”
“Who?”
A pause.
Then the guard answered.
“Mrs. Romano.”
May you like
Victor looked toward his mother’s wing.
And somewhere below them, the first explosion shook the house.
