Harper raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
"He worries," Caleb said."Even on his honeymoon."
"Sounds familiar."
His phone buzzed before he could respond.
"Ronan."
"It's after midnight."Ronan's voice was low."This better be worth it."
"It is."Caleb put the phone on speaker and set it on the coffee table."Harper's here.We came from a meeting with a local who's been documenting the syndicate for thirty years."
Silence.Then: "Thirty years?"
"Deaths, property transfers, newspapers that got shut down, people who stopped asking questions."Caleb leaned forward."Daniel Bennett is in the file."
The silence stretched longer this time.When Ronan spoke again, all the warmth had drained from his voice.
"Lila's father."
"2018.Heart attack.The woman who compiled this marked it suspicious."
"She was right."
"There was no one left to push back," Harper said."That's how they work.They don't just eliminate the threat.They eliminate anyone who might ask questions after."
Caleb could picture Ronan in the dark, standing by a window, one hand braced against the frame.Processing the kind of news that rearranged everything.
"The woman who gave you this," Ronan said."Is she safe?"
"Someone was watching her house.They saw Harper leave with the album."
"Then she's not safe."
"No."
"What's the play?"
"We’ll build a timeline tonight.Identify the names that keep appearing."Caleb flipped to the page with Harrison Montgomery's photograph—silver hair, practiced smile, standing between Sattler and the mayor at a library fundraiser."There's a businessman.Montgomery.Lighting manufacturer, philanthropist.His timing is too consistent to be a coincidence."
"Send me everything."
"I will.But Ronan—Lila needs to know."
"I'll tell her."His voice softened."She's strong."
"I know."
"We're back in three days.Until then, keep Harper safe."
"That's the plan."
"And watch your back."
"Always."
The call ended.Caleb pocketed his phone and found Harper studying him.
