Chapter 8 - THE CONFESSION THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
Victoria denied involvement in the bombing.
At first.
Then Desmond showed her the financial records.
The medical equipment invoices.
And the messages recovered from Patrick's investigation.
Her expression changed.
"You don't understand."
Desmond looked at her.
"Then explain."
Victoria sat down.
"My father was in trouble."
Desmond frowned.
"What kind of trouble?"
"Debt."
She looked away.
"Northlake Development was collapsing. Investors were demanding repayment."
Desmond stared.
"And you needed my money."
Victoria's eyes filled.
"I needed your signature."
Silence.
She continued.
"The merger would have saved everything."
Desmond's expression hardened.
"So you arranged an explosion?"
Victoria shook her head violently.
"No!"
She began crying.
"I agreed to help them get you out of the way temporarily. They told me nobody would be seriously hurt."
Desmond went still.
"Who told you?"
Victoria hesitated.
"Your uncle."
Desmond stared.
"My uncle is dead."
Victoria shook her head.
"No."
Her voice broke.
"Your uncle Malcolm's brother, Arthur Gallagher."
Desmond's face went pale.
Arthur Gallagher had disappeared from Chicago fifteen years earlier.
He was believed to have fled the country after a failed attempt to seize control of the family organization.
Victoria continued.
"He's been back for two years."
Desmond stared.
"And he's been working with your people."
"Which people?"
Victoria swallowed.
"Frankie."
The room went silent.
Desmond looked toward the door.
For the first time, I saw genuine fear in his eyes.
May you like
Because Frankie was standing there.
And he had heard everything.
