Chapter 7 - THE MAN BEHIND THE MILLIONS
Adrian didn't move for several seconds.
His mother had just accused one of America's wealthiest businessmen of murdering Robert Blackthorne.
And Richard Sterling was standing outside the gates, smiling.
"Marco," Adrian said quietly, "keep him outside."
"Yes, boss."
"Nobody fires unless I authorize it."
He turned toward Evelyn.
"Mother, tell me what you remember."
Her hands shook.
"Robert found out who he was."
"Who?"
"Samuel."
Adrian sat beside her.
"Samuel Voss?"
She nodded.
"He worked for Robert years ago. He was clever. Too clever."
Her voice cracked.
"He stole money. Then people started disappearing."
I felt a chill.
"What happened?"
"Robert tried to stop him."
Evelyn looked toward the window.
"Samuel told him the organization belonged to whoever was strong enough to take it."
Adrian's expression darkened.
"My father died in a car bombing."
Evelyn began crying.
"It wasn't an accident."
I reached for her hand.
She squeezed mine.
"Robert knew he might die. He told Daniel to protect the evidence."
"The Nightingale files," Adrian said.
Evelyn nodded.
"Samuel wanted them destroyed."
Outside, Richard Sterling began speaking through the intercom again.
"Adrian, we can settle this peacefully."
Adrian pressed the microphone button.
"You murdered my father."
Richard's smile disappeared.
"Careful, son."
"Don't call me that."
"Your father made enemies. That's the price of power."
Adrian's voice turned deadly.
"Where is Daniel Quinn?"
"Safe. For now."
"I want proof."
Richard raised his phone.
My father appeared on the screen.
He was breathing through an oxygen mask.
I couldn't stop myself.
"Dad!"
Richard looked directly into the camera.
"Harper. There you are."
I stepped beside Adrian.
"What do you want from me?"
"Something your mother left you."
"My mother is dead."
"Yes," Richard said. "And that was unfortunate."
My blood ran cold.
"You killed her."
Richard shrugged.
"Rebecca Quinn was an intelligent woman who made foolish choices."
Adrian's hand closed around the microphone.
"You're finished."
Richard laughed.
"You're threatening me while your mother's life hangs in the balance?"
Adrian froze.
"What did you do?"
Richard held up a small medical container.
"Your mother's medication has been adjusted for weeks."
I looked at Evelyn.
Her confusion.
Her exhaustion.
Her sudden decline.
I had assumed it was the natural progression of her condition.
But what if it wasn't?
Adrian's expression became terrifying.
"If you've hurt her—"
"Then find the key."
Richard stepped toward the camera.
"You have until midnight tomorrow."
He returned to the SUV.
The vehicle disappeared down the driveway.
Inside, nobody spoke.
Then Adrian turned toward Marco.
"Get a toxicologist here. Now."
He looked at me.
"Harper, we need to find what your mother hid."
I nodded.
"The farmhouse."
Adrian studied me.
"Are you sure?"
I closed my eyes.
I could still remember my mother's voice.
Count the stars, sweetheart. Every star has a place.
Then another memory surfaced.
A wooden ceiling.
Painted stars.
A little silver moon.
I opened my eyes.
"The farmhouse burned down."
Adrian nodded.
"But?"
"My mother had a secret room beneath the barn."
I swallowed.
"She called it our little sky."
Marco immediately began searching property records.
Several minutes later, he looked up.
"The farmhouse land was purchased after the fire."
"By whom?" Adrian asked.
Marco turned the screen toward us.
The current owner was Sterling Holdings.
But the purchase date was what made my stomach drop.
The property had been purchased two days before the fire.
And the person who signed the purchase agreement was my mother.
May you like
Rebecca Quinn.
Three weeks after the date recorded on her death certificate.
