Chapter 8 - THE DEAL MARCUS NEVER SAW COMING
Evelyn took the recording to federal investigators.
The evidence reopened questions surrounding the warehouse explosion.
Arthur Bell became a subject of inquiry.
Financial records were subpoenaed.
Witnesses were contacted.
Marcus disappeared.
For three days, nobody knew where he was.
Then he called Damian.
“Brother.”
Damian stared at the phone.
“Marcus.”
Marcus laughed.
“You always were sentimental.”
Damian's voice was cold.
“What do you want?”
“Chloe.”
My stomach tightened.
Damian looked at me.
“She's not part of this.”
Marcus laughed.
“She became part of it when she ruined my game.”
I stepped forward.
“Let me talk.”
Damian shook his head.
I ignored him.
“Marcus.”
Silence.
Then:
“Little Sparrow.”
My blood turned cold.
I stared at the phone.
“You don't get to call me that.”
Marcus laughed softly.
“Your father was a stubborn man.”
My hands shook.
I continued.
“He was a better man than you.”
Marcus's voice hardened.
“He should've stayed out of my business.”
I looked at Evelyn.
She nodded.
The call was being documented through the investigators.
I swallowed.
“Did you kill him?”
Silence.
Then Marcus said:
“Your father made choices.”
I stared.
“Did you?”
Marcus laughed.
“You think you're clever.”
I looked at Damian.
Then back at the phone.
“No.”
I paused.
“I think you're afraid.”
The line went silent.
Then Marcus whispered:
“You have no idea what I've built.”
I smiled faintly.
“Then why are you hiding?”
He ended the call.
Damian looked at me.
For a moment, I expected anger.
Instead, he said:
“You sound like your father.”
My eyes filled.
Evelyn approached.
“That was useful.”
I looked at her.
“Did he confess?”
She shook her head.
“Not fully.”
May you like
Then she smiled.
“But he revealed more than he intended.”
