Chapter 8 - THE MAN WHO OWNED THE SILENCE
Gerard Whitlock had spent thirty years making problems disappear.
Not always through violence.
Sometimes through money.
Sometimes through favors.
Sometimes through a phone call to the right person.
He had learned that silence was cheaper than loyalty.
And far easier to maintain.
Now his carefully constructed world was beginning to fracture.
The two million dollars had been traced.
Claire Sloane's death was under investigation.
Enzo had suspended him.
And someone had reopened the Pier Nineteen fire.
Whitlock sat alone in his office when his phone rang.
"Yes?"
A man's voice answered.
"Baranti has the photograph."
Whitlock closed his eyes.
"How?"
"We don't know."
"Who gave it to him?"
"Unknown."
Whitlock gripped the phone.
"And the girl?"
"Still working in the building."
Whitlock looked toward the window.
"Then she's a problem."
The man hesitated.
"What do you want done?"
Whitlock stared at the city.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then:
"Make sure she understands what happens to people who ask questions."
He ended the call.
Across town, Mave Dunlevy was leaving her evening shift.
She stepped into the parking garage.
Her old sedan sat near the far wall.
She reached for her keys.
Then stopped.
A folded note was tucked beneath the windshield wiper.
She pulled it free.
Inside were five words.
YOUR BROTHER IS NEXT. STOP.
Mave's blood turned cold.
She called Finn immediately.
He answered on the third ring.
"Hey, Maeve."
"Where are you?"
"At work."
"Stay there."
"What's wrong?"
She swallowed.
"Just stay inside."
Then she called the police.
Her hands shook so badly that she nearly dropped the phone.
And for the first time since the fire, she felt sixteen again.
May you like
Standing in a burning hallway.
Trying to reach someone she loved.
