Chapter 14 - The Exchange
Rachel chose an abandoned ferry terminal on the edge of the harbor.
The FBI found the location from the prepaid phone’s last tower connection.
Claire was ordered to stay away.
She lasted eleven minutes before telling Arthur she was going anyway.
He stared at her. “You understand that every lawyer in America hates clients like you.”
“Get in the car.”
They arrived behind the federal perimeter just as night settled over the water.
From a surveillance van, Claire saw Rachel standing beneath a broken light near the old ticket building.
She held a black ledger against her chest.
Robert Lane walked toward her alone.
At least he appeared alone.
Rachel called out, “You wanted it. Here.”
Lane stopped twenty feet away.
“Put it on the ground.”
“You first.”
He gave a humorless smile. “You don’t understand how this works.”
“I understand you threatened my sister.”
“I warned her.”
“You broke into my apartment.”
“I needed to know what you copied.”
Claire clenched her fists.
Ortiz, wearing headphones, said, “Keep listening.”
Rachel raised the ledger. “This proves Martin paid people through Dad’s reserve fund.”
Lane’s expression did not change.
“It proves both men did.”
“Dad documented why.”
“Your father documented whatever made him sleep at night.”
Rachel shouted, “Martin used the fund after Dad died.”
Lane took one more step.
“So?”
“So he used Claire’s credentials. He used Ethan. He used everyone.”
Lane laughed softly.
“You think Ethan is a victim?”
Claire felt the words like a blow.
Rachel said, “I think Ethan is stupid and selfish. That’s different.”
Even Arthur almost smiled.
Then a second figure stepped from the darkness behind Lane.
Martin Cole.
Claire’s breath caught.
Ethan, who had been brought by agents as a cooperating witness, whispered, “Dad.”
Martin called to Rachel, “Give me the ledger.”
“No.”
“You have no idea what your father did.”
“Then tell me.”
Martin’s face hardened.
“He paid to keep people quiet too.”
Rachel held up the book. “Not according to this.”
May you like
Martin took another step.
And that was when Lane reached inside his coat.
