Chapter 5 - The Sterling Counterstrike
While peace settled over the Towson estate, a storm was brewing in the political heart of Maryland.
Senator Arthur Sterling—Evelyn’s father—was a man used to getting his way. When his daughter failed to return home for seventy-two hours and her private security detail vanished into thin air, he didn't call the local police.
He called the Federal Bureau of Investigation and mobilized his personal private militia.
On Friday evening, as a thick fog rolled over Baltimore Harbor, Silas entered Roman’s library with a grim expression.
“Boss,” Silas said, dropping a thick dossier onto the mahogany desk. “Senator Sterling just held a press conference on the steps of the state capital. He’s claiming that you kidnapped his daughter.”
Roman didn't look up from his paperwork. “Let him claim whatever he wants.”
“It’s worse than that,” Silas continued, his voice tight. “He brought in the State Attorney General. They’ve issued an emergency federal search warrant for this estate, effective at midnight tonight. They’re coming with thirty armored vehicles and state troopers.”
Roman slowly placed his pen down on the desk.
“Sterling thinks he can use federal marshals to raid my home and eliminate the evidence of Evelyn’s crimes,” Roman murmured, his eyes narrowing into slits of dangerous intelligence.
“If they search the dock cellars and find Evelyn—” Silas started.
“They won't find her there,” Roman cut him off. “Move her to the vault beneath the old grain elevator at Terminal 4. And inform Senator Sterling’s chief of staff that I am inviting the Senator to a private dinner at my estate at nine o'clock tonight.”
Silas blinked in surprise. “Before the raid?”
“Two hours before the raid,” Roman corrected, a dark, cold smile touching his lips. “It’s time Arthur Sterling learned what his daughter actually does when she isn't hosting tea parties.”
Upstairs, Nora stood near the hallway window, watching the rain beat against the glass.
She had dressed in a simple, elegant dark blue dress that the estate staff had provided for her. Her color had returned, though the faint red marks on her wrists remained visible.
A soft step sounded behind her.
Roman stood at the end of the corridor, watching her.
“You shouldn't be standing, Nora,” he said gently.
“I’m tired of sitting,” she replied, turning to face him. “I heard the guards talking in the hallway. Senator Sterling is coming tonight, isn't he?”
Roman walked up to her, stopping a respectful distance away. “It is my problem to deal with, not yours.”
“He’s going to lie about me,” Nora said quietly, her voice holding a steady, quiet strength. “He’s going to say I’m a criminal to save his daughter.”
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Roman stepped closer, looking down into her brown eyes.
“No one is going to lie about you ever again, Nora,” Roman vowed, his hand hovering near hers before gently closing around her fingers. “Tonight, we end this.”
