the first time, she heard him cry.
Not loudly.
Just one strained breath, followed by a whispered admission.
“I thought if they couldn’t find me, they couldn’t hurt Rosa.
Then Ada was born, and I thought the same thing about her.
I never realized hiding had become the only way I knew how to live.”
Iris looked at the swallow on her wrist.
“Then it’s time to learn another way.”
***
Victor Lorne did not surrender quietly.
After learning that detectives were reviewing the Atlas Exchange case, he contacted Iris through an intermediary and proposed a meeting.
He claimed that he wanted to clear up misunderstandings and prevent public accusations from harming their respective businesses.
By then, investigators had recovered additional financial records and obtained search warrants for properties connected to his former security contractor.
They were also investigating the recent threats against Ada.
Detective Park advised Iris not to engage privately.
Instead, after discussing the risks with investigators and her attorney, Iris agreed to a controlled conversation at a secure office with officers nearby.
Nico and Ada remained away from the location.
Victor arrived wearing a navy suit, a silk tie, and the heavy silver ring Ada had described.
He stepped into the conference room with the confidence of a man who had spent his life believing that money could negotiate away consequences.
“Iris,” he said warmly.
“This has all become terribly unnecessary.”
She remained seated.
“Sit down, Victor.”
He placed a leather folder on the table.
“I’ve prepared a proposal.
Your company could benefit from our new waterfront partnership.
There’s no reason for either of us to suffer because of an unfortunate misunderstanding.”
Iris didn’t touch the folder.
“Was the Atlas Exchange fire an unfortunate misunderstanding?”
Victor’s smile thinned.
“That investigation was closed fifteen years ago.”
“Two people died.”
“And it was a tragedy.”
“You ordered the emergency doors locked.”
He leaned back.
“You need to be careful with accusations.”
“I have the controller log.”
His expression flickered.
“Old documents can be interpreted in different ways.”
“I have the radio recording.”
For the first time, Victor stopped looking comfortable.
“Where did you get that?”
Iris studied him.
“You recognize it?”
He realized his mistake.
“I recognize that you’ve become obsessed with a story that should have ended years ago.”
“Did you send someone to threaten Nico’s sister?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Did you arrange for a stranger to approach his daughter this week?”
Victor’s eyes hardened.
“That little girl would have been perfectly safe if her father hadn’t started digging up things that didn’t concern him.”
Iris felt a coldness settle through her.
“She’s seven.”
“And her father was foolish enough to bring her into this.”
“He brought her to dinner because he couldn’t afford childcare while working.
The person who brought her into danger was whoever decided to threaten her.”
Victor pushed the folder toward her.
“Take the partnership.
Put this behind you.
You have everything to lose and nothing to gain.”
“That’s where you’re wrong.”
She stood.
“I have the truth to gain.
And there are families who’ve waited fifteen years for it.”
Victor reached for the folder again.
“Iris, don’t make this personal.”
“You made it personal when you locked those doors.”
He leaned forward, voice lowered.
“I told Saye to secure the floor.
I didn’t
