Chapter 11 - Malcolm’s OfferWhen Julian was gone, Malcolm Ashford approached me.
My father immediately stepped between us.
But Malcolm raised both hands.
“I only want to speak.”
I looked at my father.
He didn’t like it.
But he moved aside.
Malcolm’s voice dropped low.
“You don’t understand what you’ve started.”
“I understand perfectly.”
“No,” he said. “You think this ends with Julian. It doesn’t. There are judges, board members, police officials, campaign donors. People who will not allow themselves to be dragged down because you wanted revenge.”
I smiled faintly.
“That’s where you’re wrong.”
His eyes narrowed.
“This isn’t revenge?”
“No. Revenge is personal.”
I looked around the ballroom.
At Clara.
At the trembling guests.
At the cameras.
At every sealed exit.
“This is architecture.”
Malcolm frowned.
I leaned closer.
“Every person you just named is already in the files.”
His mask slipped.
Only for a second.
But I saw it.
So did my father.
So did the cameras.
Malcolm’s voice became a whisper.
“What do you want?”
It was almost funny.
They always asked that when they realized money could not buy the answer.
“I want every woman you buried to be heard.”
His jaw tightened.
May you like
“And if I cooperate?”
“You may get to choose which prison remembers your name.”
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