Chapter 7 - The Daughter Nobody Could FindThe search lasted until dawn.
Vincent called every contact he had in Philadelphia. Michael traced the stolen vehicle through traffic cameras. Walter contacted the county sheriff, while Hannah sat in the cider house trying to understand how her family had become the center of a war she hadn't known existed.
At 4:36 a.m., Michael received a message.
The vehicle had been found abandoned near an old river terminal.
Margaret was gone.
Hannah stood immediately.
"I'm going."
Vincent caught himself before reaching for her.
"Let Michael take you."
"Don't tell me what to do."
"I'm not."
"You've spent nine years deciding what I could handle."
He looked exhausted.
"I know."
That answer was becoming familiar.
And it was still not enough.
At the terminal, they found Margaret's purse, a broken phone, and a small piece of paper.
Three words had been written on it.
Bring the ledger.
Walter recognized the handwriting.
"Richard."
Vincent looked at him.
"You've seen his writing?"
"Once. Eleven years ago."
Hannah took the paper.
"Then we give him the ledger."
Vincent shook his head.
"It's not that simple."
"Why?"
"Because the ledger contains enough information to implicate half the people in my organization."
"Your organization?"
"Our organization," Michael corrected quietly.
Vincent turned toward him.
Michael lowered his eyes.
Hannah noticed.
"What does that mean?"
Michael hesitated.
"Mr. Calder has been preparing to dismantle the illegal side of the business."
"When?"
"Three months ago."
Hannah looked at Vincent.
"Three months ago?"
He nodded.
"I was going to tell you."
"When?"
"After I made sure the people involved couldn't hurt you."
She almost smiled.
"That's your favorite excuse."
Vincent accepted the blow.
They eventually traced Richard's message to an abandoned hotel outside the city.
It had once belonged to Arthur Calder.
The building was dark except for a single illuminated window on the third floor.
Michael arranged a perimeter.
Vincent insisted on going inside.
Hannah refused to stay behind.
They found Margaret in a locked room.
She was frightened but unharmed.
Richard stood near the window.
He was older than Vincent, with silver hair and a narrow face.
The resemblance was unmistakable.
"Hello, nephew."
Vincent stepped forward.
"Let her go."
Richard smiled.
"You always did have your father's temper."
"Where's the girl?"
Richard's expression changed.
For the first time, Hannah saw genuine surprise.
"You know about her?"
"Sabrina told us."
Richard looked toward the door.
"That woman has caused me nothing but trouble."
"Where is Daniel's daughter?"
Richard laughed.
"You're all asking the wrong question."
He removed a photograph from his pocket.
It showed a little girl with dark hair and bright eyes.
She was sitting on a hospital bed.
On her wrist was a small silver bracelet.
Hannah recognized it.
Daniel had worn an identical one.
"She's alive," Hannah whispered.
Richard nodded.
"Very much so."
"Where is she?"
"Give me the ledger."
Vincent took a step forward.
"First, my aunt walks out."
Richard looked at Margaret.
Then at Hannah.
"There's another thing you should know."
He placed the photograph on the table.
"That girl isn't the only secret your brother left behind."
Hannah stared at him.
"What else?"
Richard leaned forward.
"Daniel didn't die because he discovered my father's criminal operation."
He smiled without warmth.
"He died because he discovered who had been supplying it."
Vincent's face changed.
Richard pointed at him.
"Your father wasn't the man who started the business, Vincent."
May you like
Then he looked directly at Hannah.
"Your brother was investigating the man who built it."
