Page 46 of Goldflame
“Tell me more about Carter,” I say.
Like he was already prepared, Valentine fills me in.
Carter was one of Lucian’s closest associates, handling casino operations in Nevada. They seemed to get along pretty well and Carter did everything my father asked. In exchange, Lucian gave him extra benefits—vacations, women, even bought him a nice house for his wife and kids.
I hang up on Valentine once I have enough information.
The fact that Carter missed this meeting registers as a glowing red flag in my mind. He has a reason for wanting revenge against Theodore for killing Lucian. And Carter was at the funeral reception, so he saw how I acted when I thought Aurelia was the murderer.
It’s possible he was scared of being found out and afraid of the consequences—either from me or from the Marlowe’s.
It’s suspicious enough to look into, which is exactly what Adrian would’ve done.
“Don’t assume. Don’t act emotionally. Gather facts first.”
So how would he handle this? He wouldn’t storm into Carter’s home demanding answers. He wouldn’t show his hand so easily. No, he’d gather information discreetly. Maybe interview Carter’s wife first—that brittle blonde with the surgical smile. Or one of Carter’s many mistresses, the ones he parades around when his wife is visiting her parents in Palm Springs.
That’s what Adrian would do. That’s what I’ll do.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
JULIAN
Carter’s house sprawls across three acres on the outskirts of Seattle. The landscaping is pristine and the security gates part for my vehicle like they recognize the weight of my name.
I’m exhausted after a full day of questioning Carter’s girlfriends—three different women, each more vapid than the last. The redhead who works at a strip club kept twirling her hair and giggling. The brunette model with legs for days just kept asking when Lucas would be back from his “business trip.” The blonde socialite was too coked out to form coherent sentences.
All fucking useless. But Adrian would’ve been thorough, so I am too.
I pull up next to the black SUV parked outside the house, a vehicle I recognize. Mother steps out from the backseat of it.
Sighing, I park my car and step out. I doubt Adrian would be getting our mother’s help, but she insisted.She’d wanted to know what I was up to this evening so I told her.
“Oh, Lucy?” she’d said when I mentioned I was visiting Lucas Carter’s wife. “I get along well with her. She’ll open up to me.”
I’d been tired of hitting dead ends, so I agreed to meet Mother here.
I approach the entrance of the house and she falls into step beside me. As I knock on the door, she says, “Let me take the lead. I’ll get this over quickly.”
I sigh again and nod.
Carter’s wife, Lucy, opens the door. Her already pale skin drains of color when she sees me standing on her doorstep, even though Mom is with me. She’s a petite woman, and her fingers tighten around the doorframe like it’s the only thing keeping her upright.
“Mr. Harrow,” she breathes out shakily. “And Liora. I—To what do I owe this pleasure?”
My mother smiles politely. “Lucy. So sorry to bother you. We were worried about your husband. He missed an important meeting yesterday. Is everything alright?”
Lucy’s eyes dart over my shoulder, scanning the yard beyond as if expecting someone else. “Oh, yes. I apologize. Lucas meant no disrespect. He had an emergency at the Vegas property.” The words tumble out too quickly, rehearsed. “A plumbing issue flooded the main casino floor. Millions in damages.”
“Terrible,” Mom says.
I watch Lucy’s fingers tremble around the door. Funny how she hasn’t invited us in yet. “Are you sure? I called the property earlier. Everything seemed normal.”
A lie. But the flash of raw fear that crosses her face confirms what I already suspected. She’s hiding something.
“Oh.” Lucy swallows, her painted smile cracking at the edges. “Well, perhaps they’ve already fixed it. Lucas hires the best people.”
“May we come in?” Mom asks, already stepping forward, forcing Lucy to retreat or be walked into. “Julian wants to discuss a few Consortium matters. Things Lucas should be updated on when he returns.”
