Page 43 of Sins of the Father

"How thoughtful of you."

"Call it mutual benefit. Twenty-four hours to decide."

I hang up.

"Confidential informant," I say to Orla. "Not even a real cop. Just bait they dangled in front of us."

"I came for justice."

"You came for revenge. There's a difference." I press the intercom. "Security to my office."

Her chin lifts. "I never wanted to hurt you."

"But you did. Every day. Every lie. Every time you let me touch you while planning my destruction."

Two guards appear in the doorway.

"Escort Ms. Nolan out of the building," I tell them. "She's no longer employed here."

She walks past me, close enough that I catch her scent. The same perfume that clung to my sheets.

"This isn't over," she says quietly.

"Yes, it is."

I watch her leave, then turn back to the evidence scattered across my desk. Photos of secret meetings. Fake documents. Lies built on lies.

All to destroy the man she let inside her body.

The whiskey bottle calls to me from across the room, but I ignore it. I have work to do.

Starting with finding out exactly what Thomas Nolan discovered that got him killed.

CHAPTER 19

ORLA

The security guards escort me through the lobby without touching me. A courtesy I don't deserve. Every employee watches as I pass—the assistant who fell from grace. Their stares burn into my back.

The building doors open to harsh afternoon sunlight. I blink against the brightness, legs unsteady beneath me.

"Your personal items will be delivered tomorrow," one guard says. "Provide an address."

I give them my real one. No point in lying anymore.

They disappear back inside, leaving me alone on the sidewalk. People flow around me—businesspeople, tourists, normal humans living normal lives. I stand frozen in the current.

My cover is blown. Seven years of planning destroyed in twenty minutes.

I walk to my car on autopilot, hands shaking as I fumble with the keys. The engine starts on the third try. I sit behind the wheel, staring at nothing.

My phone buzzes. Doyle.

"Where are you?" he asks without greeting.

"Parking garage near the office." My voice sounds hollow.

"Drive to Murphy's Diner. Now. We need to talk."

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