I turn my head to see Lucy sleeping next to me. She looks so peaceful. I decide I better find out who the asshole is before he wakes her.
Carefully, I get out of bed and pull on my sweats, then I go open the door to find Carter on my doorstep.
“Sorry to drop by unannounced. I really need to talk to you.”
I step aside and let him in.
He speaks immediately. “It was wrong of me to ask you to go to Gardiner’s house. I’m sorry I did. Obviously, it didn’t end well. It’s been bothering me, and I had to say I’m sorry.”
I lean against the door. “Why did you ask?”
Carter paces the living room. “I let my personal feelings get in the way. A few years ago, my ex-wife met Lawrence at some fundraiser and was dazzled by his money. She shared a hotel room with him.”
“You’re mad on behalf of your ex-wife?”
He shoves his hands in his pockets and turns his gaze to the street. “We were married at the time. When she realized he didn’t see her as anything more than a one-night stand, she confessed to me how horrible she felt.”
“Shit. I’m sorry.”
Carter stops pacing. “It hurt my pride more than anything, we weren’t really in love. But that doesn’t matter. I shouldn’t have put you in that position, and for that, I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I’m actually glad I was there, so I understand what Lucy witnessed between her mom, dad, and Vince. And what went down with Ted.”
I glance down the hall, hoping Lucy doesn’t come out and hear us talking about her dad. I still haven’t explained why I was at her father’s house, and I’d like to do it in my own time.
“Well, I guess the case is closed, now that Lawrence is dead.” I take a step toward the door, hoping he catches the hint.
“Actually, it’s not. Lawrence might be gone, but you know as well as I do that someone will pick up his not-so-legitimate businesses.”
Not over? Shit. I hope he doesn’t still want my help.
Still, I ask, “Does this mean you’re going after whoever was second in charge? Would that be Vince?”
Carter laughs. “I don’t think Lawrence cared too much for Vince. No, the second in command was Louis Altero. But he died yesterday in a tragic accident.”
There’s a sinking feeling in my chest. “Altero? Why does that sound familiar?”
“He’s Valerie Gardiner’s brother.”
I sit on the couch. “Wait, Lawrence had his brother-in-law as second in command and not his own brother?”
“Yes.”
I sense I’ll regret asking this, but I ask anyway. “What happened to Altero?”
“The man was in an elevator that plummeted sixty floors. He was the only passenger.”
I wince. I’ve seen plenty of blood and gore, but I’ve always hated elevators, so Carter basically just confirmed my fear is real.
“Were there signs of foul play?”
Carter shakes his head. “No, according to the report, the elevator was old and overdue for service, there was no foul play.” He says this, but he stares out the window, off into the distance.
“You don’t believe that?”
He scoffs. “Please. What are the odds of this man dying days after Lawrence? I can’t prove it, but someone is trying to take over the business.”
“You think Lawrence’s death was a hit?”
