Page 116 of Kept in the Dark

“Well, the murderous daughter returns.”

Hailey said, “Just stop. We know you blackmailed the police to frame her.”

Sara lifted a brow and smirked. “We might even have reason to believe you killed Mom.” She took a step closer. “Let’s not forget the death threats and hitman you so graciously sent after us. Though, you really should find better help. Ryan doesn’t seem like he’s fit for the job seeing as how Hailey and I are both still breathing.” Sara pointed at Trey. “Even Trey is still standing.”

David didn’t respond, he simply glared at them. But they weren’t going to be swayed, bullied, or manipulated into leaving.

“What happened the night Morgan died?” Trey asked. He kept his voice steady as he tried to calm the heightened emotions and growing tension. If David was going to tell them anything, he wasn’t going to do it with Sara and Hailey lashing out at him.

David reached for the call button the nurse had laid on the tray table. His fingers barely grasped the cord, and it fell onto his bed. Hailey slowly sat on the edge of his bed and pried it from his hands, placing it out of his reach.

“You’re going to talk to us,” Hailey said.

Sara said, “You can either tell us what we want to know, or we will go public with every theory, every whispered rumor, and every person you blackmailed. I will ruin your name and your legacy. You might walk free, but you will be a pariah and an embarrassment. They may already know about Nicole and Ryan, but they don't know about everything else.” She snapped her fingers. “That can change in an instant.”

A vein throbbed on his forehead as he tried to contain his rage. “You have no proof.”

Hailey shook her head. “We don’t need proof. Mom’s diaries, Ryan’s paternity test, the officer’s statements…that’s all we need. Who cares about criminal court?” She leaned closer to him, getting inches from his face. “In the eyes of the community, you will no longer be the wonderful mayor. They will finally see you as the tyrant and monster you really are, and you will lose everything. I’ll make sure of it.”

He lunged at her and tried to grab at her neck but his IV restrained him and he quickly brought his hands back to his side as Trey pulled Hailey away from the bed and stood in front of her, shielding her.

“You ungrateful little bitch! I gave you everything and this is how you repay me? I’ll kill you just like I killed your mother.”

David shook with rage. Sara’s mouth hung open. Trey stilled and Hailey audibly gasped as she clutched Trey’s arm.

David closed his eyes as he strained to breathe, acting as if nothing happened.

Trey said, “If you tell me exactly what happened that night, I’ll see if the D.A. will cut a deal. You’re dying and you’re well-liked in the community so they will likely try to help you.”

“No! He doesn’t deserve a deal,” Hailey said.

“He deserves the damn death penalty,” Sara sneered.

“We need to know what happened and we will never know unless he tells us.” He eyed David. “I want to know everything, and I want to know who’s been helping you. I know you haven't been going around killing people in the condition you’re in.”

“I’m not telling you shit,” David spat.

“Fine, have it your way,” Hailey said. “I’m calling Lauren right now and telling her you're on your deathbed.”

Her father seethed, glaring at her, murder in his eyes. He had no control here and he hated her because of it.

Finally, David said, “I want my deal drawn up before I leave the hospital, or I’ll recant everything.”

“Fine,” Trey said.

He nodded and began telling them what happened that night, staring at a spot on the wall as if he was transported back in time.

Thirteen years ago.

June 03, 1998

10:24 pm

David pulled up to his half-million-dollar home. He was proud to say his family had one of the biggest estates in the city, potentially even the county. He came from old southern money, his great-grandparents owning acres of orange groves and the Gallagher estate had been passed down through the generations. They had been pillars in the community for decades, their name carrying weight as if they were royalty.

And because of that weight, no one bothered to dig deep into his financial records. Though he was into real estate by trade, no one knew he was also laundering money through some of his properties. People suspected, but no one cared enough to look.

Plus, he was now the beloved Mayor.

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