Chapter 4 - THE DEVIL’S RULES
Derek knew the missing evidence wasn’t an accident.
Someone was framing him.
Or exposing him.
Those were different things.
The problem was he wasn’t sure which.
He sat across from two Internal Affairs investigators for almost three hours.
By noon, his service weapon and badge had been temporarily surrendered.
He walked out furious.
His partner, Eddie Pike, waited outside.
“What happened?”
“Ashford happened.”
Eddie lowered his voice.
“You sure?”
“Harper works for him.”
“Since when?”
“Four days.”
Eddie whistled.
“That’s bad.”
Derek glared.
“Why?”
“Because you don’t mess with Gabriel Ashford’s people.”
“She isn’t his people.”
Eddie gave him a careful look.
“Maybe he thinks she is.”
Meanwhile, Harper entered the Back Bay apartment Gabriel had offered.
She hated how beautiful it was.
Clean hardwood floors.
Two bedrooms.
Working heat.
A security desk downstairs.
A bedroom window for Noah overlooking a park.
“This is ridiculous,” Harper said.
Noah ran toward the second bedroom.
“It has a window!”
Their old apartment had windows too.
They simply faced a brick wall.
Gabriel stood near the door.
“You can stay until the divorce is final.”
“That could take months.”
“Then stay months.”
“I’m paying rent.”
“Fine.”
“How much?”
“Five dollars.”
Harper turned.
“Gabriel.”
“Ten.”
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
She glared.
He sighed.
“Whatever you were paying in Dorchester.”
“That’s still charity.”
“No. It’s theft. This place rents for eight thousand.”
Her mouth fell open.
He almost smiled.
“You wanted independence.”
“I did not ask for financial humiliation.”
“Then stop arguing and unpack.”
She should have hated him.
Instead, for the first time in months, she almost laughed.
That evening, after Noah fell asleep, Harper found Gabriel on the balcony.
“You did something to Derek.”
He didn’t deny it.
“What did you do?”
“Nothing illegal.”
“That answer is suspicious.”
“He’s been stealing evidence.”
Harper stared at him.
“What?”
“Drugs. Cash. Weapons.”
“How do you know?”
“I know people.”
“You mean criminals.”
“That too.”
Harper hugged her sweater tighter.
“Did you plant anything?”
“No.”
“Tell me the truth.”
Gabriel faced her.
“I gave Internal Affairs information they should have discovered themselves.”
Harper searched his face.
“Why?”
“Because a badge is the weapon he uses to keep you afraid.”
She looked away.
“I spent years thinking nobody would believe me.”
“I believe you.”
“You barely know me.”
“I know what fear looks like.”
His voice had changed.
Harper glanced at him.
For once, Gabriel Ashford didn’t look dangerous.
He looked tired.
“You know because of your business?”
“Because of my mother.”
Harper said nothing.
Gabriel stared over Boston.
“My father beat her.”
The confession came without warning.
“She hid it too.”
Harper’s breath caught.
“He was respected. Wealthy. Powerful.”
“What happened?”
Gabriel’s face closed again.
“She died before I became strong enough to stop him.”
“I’m sorry.”
He nodded once.
“My father taught me two things.”
“What?”
“How monsters are made.”
He looked at her.
“And how much damage good people do by looking away.”
Harper felt something shift between them.
Not trust.
Not yet.
But the possibility of it.
Then Gabriel’s phone rang.
His expression changed the moment he answered.
“Say that again.”
Harper watched.
A man’s voice spoke rapidly through the speaker.
Gabriel looked at her.
“What?”
She knew before he answered.
“Noah’s school records were accessed.”
Harper went cold.
“By who?”
Gabriel’s jaw tightened.
“Officer Eddie Pike.”
“Derek’s partner.”
“Yes.”
“What did he look up?”
Gabriel listened.
Then his face became terrifyingly still.
Harper stepped forward.
“What?”
“He searched emergency contacts.”
Her heart slammed against her ribs.
Gabriel continued.
“He found your aunt.”
Harper whispered, “Aunt Claire?”
Gabriel nodded.
“She lives in Vermont.”
Harper felt dizzy.
“No.”
“What?”
“Noah is supposed to visit her tomorrow.”
Gabriel’s eyes sharpened.
“Cancel it.”
Harper grabbed her phone.
Too late.
A message was already waiting.
UNKNOWN NUMBER:
Bring Noah to Vermont like planned.
May you like
Come alone.
Or Aunt Claire dies.
