Chapter 4 - The Debt and the Leverage
Back in the present, inside the cold foyer of the Whitmore mansion, Austin Fontaine took a slow step toward Margaret.
Brandon raised the gun, his hands shaking violently.
"Stay back," Brandon ordered. His voice cracked, ruining the authoritative tone he used in the operating room.
Austin did not even glance at the weapon.
He crouched down gracefully in his expensive overcoat and picked up a piece of the broken wineglass.
"Two million dollars, Dr. Whitmore," Austin said, his voice terrifyingly calm. "That is what you owe my associates for covering up your little gambling problem in Atlantic City."
Margaret gasped softly.
Gambling?
Brandon had always claimed their money was tied up in investments. He had used that excuse to restrict her access to the accounts, forcing her to beg for grocery money.
"I'll have it," Brandon stammered. "I just need another month. I have a new clinical trial starting..."
Austin stood up, dropping the glass shard onto the floor.
"The deadline was yesterday."
Austin's eyes drifted back to Margaret. He took off his overcoat and stepped forward, draping it gently over her trembling shoulders.
It smelled of rain and expensive cedar. It was warm.
"Get up, Margaret," Austin said softly.
It wasn't a command. It was a request. And he knew her name.
Brandon's eyes widened in disbelief. "How do you know my wife?"
Austin turned to look at the surgeon, and for the first time, Margaret saw the monster the city feared.
"She held my mother's hand when she died," Austin said, his voice dropping an octave. "While you were out losing half a million on a blackjack table, this woman sat in the dark and made sure my mother was not alone."
Brandon swallowed hard.
"She's my wife," Brandon said defensively. "This is family business."
"Not anymore." Austin checked his silver watch. "You have exactly forty-eight hours to wire the funds, Doctor. If the money isn't there, I won't send my men. I will come back myself."
Austin walked to the door, pausing just long enough to look at Margaret.
"If he touches you again," Austin told her, "you call the number in the coat pocket."
The door clicked shut.
May you like
The house fell silent.
Brandon stared at the closed door, then slowly turned his gaze to Margaret. The fear in his eyes was instantly replaced by a toxic, boiling rage.
