Chapter 15 - HE CHOSE HER
The truth made Harper sick.
Derek had met her at a coffee shop five years earlier.
He had spilled coffee on her coat, apologized, bought her another drink, asked for her number.
She had called it fate.
It had been surveillance.
Ortiz found the missing link before noon.
Derek's father, Patrick Lawson, had been Wade's partner during the harbor investigation. Patrick died six years ago, leaving Derek boxes of old case material.
"He knew who your mother was," Ortiz said.
Harper sat motionless.
"Before he married me?"
"Yes."
Every memory rearranged itself.
Derek asking about her mother's papers. Derek insisting they move into his apartment. Derek searching drawers and calling it cleaning. Derek's rage whenever Harper visited the storage unit.
He had not only wanted control.
He had wanted evidence.
Harper confronted Derek in a federal interview room. His lawyer started to object.
"Five minutes," Harper said.
Derek smiled. "Still dramatic."
His smile faded.
"You knew my mother."
"No."
"Your father did."
Silence.
Harper leaned closer.
"Did you marry me because of that recording?"
Derek looked toward the mirror.
"You always wanted some big explanation for why things happened to you."
"Answer me."
His eyes came back to hers.
"At first? Yeah. Wade thought Elena passed something to you."
Harper's nails dug into her palm.
"And later?"
Derek smiled.
"Later you were mine."
"No. I never was."
She walked out.
Ortiz was waiting in the hall.
"We found Wade."
"Where?"
"We didn't. He found us."
Ortiz held up her phone.
A message had arrived from Wade using a stolen number.
It contained a photograph of Mrs. Morrison tied to a chair.
May you like
Underneath were six words.
BRING THE ASHFORD LEDGER TO PIER NINE.
