Chapter 7 - The Dead Man's Voice
Daniel Beckett appeared on the screen at 3:41 a.m.
Laura covered her mouth.
Her brother sat in what appeared to be a motel room.
Six years younger.
Alive.
“If you're watching this,” he said, “I probably failed.”
Laura broke.
Garrett silently took her hand.
Daniel explained Lantern.
Judge Warren Hale had inherited control after Victor Vane’s death.
Police officers.
Judges.
Port officials.
Bank executives.
More than forty names.
Then Daniel said something neither expected.
“Garrett Hardwick isn't part of it.”
Garrett leaned closer.
“I investigated him because everyone assumed he was dirty enough to be involved. Turns out that's exactly why Lantern avoids him. Hardwick doesn't share territory, money or information. If you're my sister and you're watching this, I know what you're thinking.”
Laura began crying harder.
Daniel smiled from six years ago.
“Don't do anything stupid, Laurie.”
A laugh escaped her.
“Too late.”
The video continued.
“I have enough evidence to expose them. But evidence isn't enough if the wrong prosecutor gets it. Find Elena Morales, federal organized-crime division. She's clean.”
The recording ended.
Nobody spoke.
Malcolm finally said, “Morales is still active.”
Garrett nodded.
“Contact her.”
By sunrise, arrangements were made.
But Hale moved first.
News stations began reporting that Garrett Hardwick was under investigation for attempted murder.
The alleged victim?
Celeste Vane.
A video appeared online showing Laura punching Celeste.
Edited carefully.
No footage of Celeste striking Emily.
No sniper.
No poisoned glass.
Just a maid hitting a wealthy woman while Garrett watched.
By breakfast, the story had exploded.
Laura stared at the television.
“They're making you look like you ordered it.”
Garrett switched it off.
“They're trying to force me into public.”
“And me?”
“You're useful collateral.”
Police arrived at ten.
They had a warrant for Laura’s arrest.
Garrett’s lawyers delayed entry long enough for Agent Elena Morales to arrive.
She was fifty-two, silver-haired and deeply unimpressed by everyone.
She walked through the front door, showed her credentials, and looked at Laura.
“Daniel's sister?”
“Yes.”
Elena hugged her.
Laura froze.
Then returned it.
“Your brother saved my life,” Elena whispered.
That changed everything.
Within hours, federal agents secured the estate.
Daniel's files were copied.
Hale's network began collapsing.
Three police officers disappeared.
Two judges retained lawyers.
A shipping executive tried boarding a private aircraft and was detained.
But Warren Hale remained missing.
That evening Laura found Celeste alone in the ballroom.
The room where Laura had punched her.
Celeste touched her bruised jaw.
“I deserved it.”
Laura said nothing.
“I deserved worse.”
“Yes.”
Celeste nodded.
Laura approached.
“Why did you hurt them?”
Celeste knew exactly what she meant.
“The staff.”
“I don't know.”
“That's not an answer.”
Celeste stared at the chandeliers.
“My father taught me that fear was the only thing people respected.”
“And you believed him.”
“I became him.”
Laura sat opposite her.
“Being hurt doesn't give you permission to hurt everybody else.”
“I know.”
“No. You know now.”
Celeste looked at her.
“What happens to me?”
“That isn't my decision.”
“Garrett hates me.”
Laura considered it.
“No.”
Celeste seemed surprised.
“He doesn't love you anymore. That's different.”
That hurt more.
Celeste looked away.
“I did love him.”
“Then why drug him?”
“It was a sedative. Hale ordered me to get Garrett upstairs so his men could access his office.”
“You could've told Garrett.”
“I was afraid.”
Laura leaned forward.
“So was Emily.”
Celeste's eyes filled.
“And you slapped her anyway.”
No answer existed.
Laura stood.
“Start there.”
“Where?”
“Understanding that your fear never made theirs less real.”
Laura left.
Garrett waited in the hallway.
“You heard?”
“Enough.”
“Eavesdropping is rude.”
“I own the hallway.”
Laura rolled her eyes.
Garrett smiled.
It transformed him.
For a moment he was simply a man.
Not a name people whispered.
“You should do that more,” Laura said.
“What?”
“Look human.”
“Dangerous habit.”
She smiled.
Then the lights died.
Laura's smile disappeared.
Garrett drew his gun.
A scream came from upstairs.
Emily.
Laura ran.
“Laura!”
She ignored him.
She reached Emily’s room.
Empty.
The window stood open.
On the bed lay a phone.
It rang.
Garrett arrived behind Laura.
She answered.
Warren Hale’s voice came through.
“Bring Daniel’s original drive to St. Agnes Pier.”
Laura's blood chilled.
“Let Emily go.”
Hale laughed.
“Midnight.”
The call ended.
Garrett looked at her.
“You're not going.”
May you like
Laura turned.
“Try stopping me.”
