He wiped his hands on his apron and leaned against the counter.

"You don't understand," he said. "You think you do, but you don't. That woman ruins lives without lifting a finger."

"I understand enough," I said. "She's holding someone I care about. And you're the only loose thread she didn't fully cut."

His eyes flicked to Tessa, then back to me.

"She paid me," he said quietly. "She paid me because the system would've eaten me alive otherwise."

"That's what she told you," I said. "Not what would've happened."

He shook his head. "The driver was drunk. Everyone knew it. The city didn't want the scandal. The police wanted it gone. Carrie just… made it easier."

I leaned in a little, lowering my voice.

"And the evidence?" I asked. "Because drunk drivers leave evidence."

His breathing hitched.

I brought the UI back up.

╭────────────────────╮

Attempting Persuasion

"You didn't take the money

because you were convinced.

You took it because you were afraid."

============================

Base Chance: 30%

Honeyed Words: +50%

============================

Final Chance: 80%

Upon Succeeding: ☑☑

▶ Proceed with Persuasion? [Y/N]

╰────────────────────╯

"Calm down, Mark. You didn't take the money because you were convinced," I said. "You took it because you were afraid. And you still are."

Mark's hands started shaking. He curled them into fists, pressing them against the counter.

"Stop," he muttered. "Just stop."

Fuck. It failed.

Tessa finally spoke. "You think she's done with you?" she asked flatly. "You really think someone like her just walks away?"

That did it. He laughed, but it was hollow and broken.

"She kept it," he said suddenly.

"Kept what?" I asked.

"The recording," he said. "The dash cam from the delivery van behind them. All of it."

I didn't move. I didn't react too fast.

"Carrie took it before the police finalized the report," he continued. "Everyone thought it was destroyed."

I narrowed my eyes. "So she wiped it."

He shook his head immediately. "No. Fuck no."

I leaned closer. "Then where is it?"

"She hid it," Mark said, voice low. "Ms. Beldenwary isn't stupid. You don't destroy leverage. You save it."

Tessa's fingers tightened around her scarf.

"Why?" She asked. "Why would she need leverage against you? You're the victim here."

He hesitated, then let out a bitter breath. "Not me. Against her own son."

That made my stomach twist.

"She kept it in case he stepped out of line," Mark said. "In case he talked. In case he embarrassed her. She wanted proof that could end him in one move."

I closed my eyes briefly, then opened them again.

"So the recording still exists," I said. "Somewhere."

"Yes," he replied. "And if you're smart, you won't go looking for it."

I straightened and brought up the final push.

╭────────────────────╮

Attempting Persuasion

"Where would she hide something

that dangerous?"

==========================

Base Chance: 20%

Honeyed Words: +50%

==========================

Final Chance: 70%

Upon Succeeding: ☑☑

▶ Proceed with Persuasion? [Y/N]

╰────────────────────╯

"Where would she hide something that dangerous?" I asked calmly.

Mark's shoulders sagged. He looked older all of a sudden.

"Not here," he said. "Not in this city. Somewhere private. Somewhere only she controls. A safety deposit box, maybe. Or a private server. She doesn't trust people."

╭────────────────────╮

Persuasion Attempt: Mark Menlin

==========================

☑☑☑☑☐

==========================

Remaining Chances: 3/3—SUCCESS

╰────────────────────╯

I nodded once and stepped back from the counter.

"That's all I needed," I said.

Mark looked at me, eyes dull. "If you find it," he said quietly, "you're declaring war."

I met his gaze. "She already did."

I turned and walked out of the shop with Tessa beside me, the bell chiming softly behind us. The cold hit my face the second the door opened, but I barely felt it.

A recording. Proof. Something Carrie hadn't destroyed, only hidden.

That was enough.

Now I just had to find where she thought no one would ever look.

I slid into the driver's seat and pulled the door shut, the cold sealing outside with a dull thump. Tessa buckled up beside me, rubbing her hands together for warmth.

"So," she said, glancing at me. "Where to now?"

I stared through the windshield for a second, watching snow skitter across the road like nervous insects.

Before I could answer, my phone rang.

Ivy.

I felt a sharp twist in my gut and answered immediately.

"Hello?"

"YOU IDIOT," Ivy chirped, way too loud and way too cheerful for the situation. "Why didn't you tell me you knew her?"

"Knew who?" I asked, already dreading the answer.

"Carrie fucking Beldenwary," she said. "She's here with me."

My fingers tightened around the phone. "With you?"

"Yeah," Ivy continued. "At Burney's. She said she tried calling you, but you didn't answer, so she decided to come say hi. You even told her about me, huh? I'm flattered. Really."

"Ivy," I said, keeping my voice steady with effort. "Listen to me. Stay in public, okay? Do not go anywhere with her."

There was a pause. "What? Evan, you're being weird."

"I'm coming," I said. "I'll explain when I get there. Don't move. Don't leave. Just stay where people can see you."

"…Okay," she replied, slower now. "I'll stay."

"I'll be there," I said and hung up.

I dropped the phone into the cup holder and leaned back in my seat, letting out a long breath through my nose. My heart was pounding, not fast, but heavy, like each beat was hitting something solid.

Fuck.

Of course she knew about Ivy. Of course she did. Carrie didn't stumble into people's lives by accident. She mapped them, catalogued them, decided which ones were useful and which ones were pressure points. This wasn't a direct threat, not yet. This was her reminding me she could reach into my world whenever she wanted.

I turned my head toward Tessa.

"Burney's," I said. "Carrie is with my friend Ivy. We're going there now."

Tessa's expression hardened instantly. "Shit. Alright, let's go."

❤︎❤︎❤︎

I pulled up to the curb hard enough for the tires to crunch against the slush, yanked the handbrake, and was out of the car before the engine even fully died.

Cold air slapped me in the face as I crossed the sidewalk in long strides and shoved the café door open. The bell above it rattled violently. A few heads turned. Someone frowned. Someone else didn't even look up from their cup.

I didn't care.

My eyes scanned the place immediately, sharp and fast, tables first, then corners, then the back.

Tessa came in right behind me and didn't hesitate. She lifted her chin and pointed.

"There," she muttered. "Back table. She's wearing fucking glasses."

I followed her finger.

Carrie was tucked away in the back, hood pulled low, thin-framed glasses on her face like a cheap disguise. Anyone who didn't know her would think she was just another rich woman hiding from the weather. Ivy sat beside her, relaxed, smiling, completely unaware of the predator sitting inches away.

I walked over and pulled a chair out sharply, the legs scraping against the floor louder than necessary, and sat down next to Ivy. Tessa took the seat across from us, her posture stiff, eyes never leaving Carrie.

"Ivy," I said, keeping my voice even. "Hey."

"Hey," she replied, then leaned closer, her voice dropping. "Are you okay? You sounded… weird on the phone."

"I'm fine," I said quietly. "We'll talk later."

Before Ivy could say more, Carrie spoke, smooth as silk.

"Mr. Marlowe," she said with a pleasant smile. "I tried calling you earlier. I wanted to personally thank you for helping me with that charity gala. You never picked up."

"Yeah," I replied, meeting her eyes. "Shit happens."

"Indeed."

"I came as soon as I could," I added, smirking faintly. "Careful drive, too. Didn't want to hit anyone on the road."

For half a second, just a fraction, her expression twitched. She caught it immediately and covered it with a soft chuckle, but I saw it. She knew exactly what I meant.

"Yes," she said. "Accidents do happen."

She tilted her head slightly.

"Ivy and I were just talking about your college days. About Delilah. Ivy's mother helped you quite a bit back then, didn't she? Such a kind woman. I was thinking, maybe I should speak with her sometime."

Before I could answer, Ivy's phone rang.

"Oh," she said, pulling it out. "Hold on. Yellow?"

As she turned away slightly, talking into the phone, Carrie and I locked eyes.

Her smile changed. Less friendly. More knowing.

This was her reminding me she could reach anyone. Any time. Anywhere.

I glanced toward the windows. The snowfall had thinned, the wind calmer now. The sky looked lighter than it should have. That made my stomach sink. I needed the storm to last. I needed that jet grounded.

"Alright, bye," Ivy said suddenly, standing up. "Sorry, guys. I have to go. My mom called. The taxi she was in got into a small accident."

My chest loosened just a little.

"Is she okay?" I asked.

"Yeah, yeah," Ivy said, already pulling on her jacket. "She's fine. Just shaken. I need to help her."

Yeah, that was life. I'd called Delilah and fed her a lie to get Ivy far away from there. Thankfully, it worked—Delilah succeeded, and Ivy was on her way out. The farther she was from Carrie, the better. I couldn't let her lay a hand on my friend.

Ivy waved at us, then turned to Carrie with a polite smile. "It was nice talking to you, Ms. Beldenwary. I hope we meet again."

"I hope so too, dear," Carrie replied warmly. "Take care."

Ivy left, the door swinging shut behind her, and I didn't look away from Carrie until she disappeared down the street.

The moment Ivy was gone, the air at the table changed.

I leaned forward slightly. "If you get close to her one more time," I said quietly, "you're done."

Carrie raised an eyebrow. "Threatening me again?" she asked. "You want another lesson out in the cold, Evan?"

"I know about your son," I said. "Your step-son. The accident."

"Oh?" she replied lazily, crossing her legs. "And what will you do with that information? Re-open a cold case? Be my guest."

I stood up. Tessa did the same, her chair scraping back.

"This isn't over," I said.

"I know," Carrie replied, smiling. "But tomorrow might be. The forecast says sunshine. Let's hope they're right."

I didn't answer. I turned and walked out, Tessa right behind me.

Outside, the cold hit again, but my skin still felt too tight, like it hadn't recovered from last night.

"That was too close," Tessa said. "Her being near Ivy like that."

"Yeah," I muttered. "Way too close."

I ran a hand through my hair, thoughts racing. The recording. The accident. Carrie hadn't destroyed it. She'd hidden it. Somewhere.

"I'll talk to Tom," I said, already moving toward the car. "After I drop you off."

Tessa frowned. "Let me come."

"No," I replied. "This needs to be private."

She sighed, shoulders dropping. "Fine. Whatever you say, magic fingers."

All I could think about was that footage, sitting somewhere in the dark, and the fact that if I didn't find it soon, Kim would be gone.

❤︎❤︎❤︎

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