As she started for the door, the sweet feelings of last night slipped away, replaced with a fresh shot of fear.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chase leaned back on the overstuffed leather sofa, flames licking the grate in the gas fireplace built into the wall of his study. DEA Special Agent Zach Tanner sat in a nearby leather chair. Tanner stood as Maddox led Harper into the study.
Her gaze went from Chase to Tanner, and her spine stiffened. “Agent Tanner.” Beneath her yellow cashmere sweater, her shoulders subtly straightened. “I wish I could say it’s good to see you, but we both know it wouldn’t be true.”
“Why don’t you have a seat, Ms. Winston?”
Chase rose, offering her the place next to him on the sofa. He was almost surprised when Harper sat down beside him. As he returned to his seat, he caught her hand, which felt icy cold.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
Tanner leaned forward. Beneath his leather jacket, Chase caught a glimpse of the pistol in his shoulder holster.
“I came here to let you know that your father was arrested early this morning. It’s going to be a big news story. I wanted to let you know before the media picks it up.”
The color drained from her face, and the hand Chase was holding began to tremble. He tightened his hold. She wasn’t alone in this. He hoped she knew that.
“What are the charges?” she asked.
“Money laundering, extortion, wire fraud, sex trafficking—”
“Sex trafficking? What exactly does that mean?”
“We found evidence that at one time your father was part of a smuggling ring that brought women in from South America to commit sex acts for money.”
“Prostitution,” she said.
“That’s right. His involvement ended a few years back when he began to consolidate and legitimize some of his business interests.”
She moistened her lips. “What else?”
“One of the most serious charges he’s facing involves cocaine trafficking and distribution. For the large amount of drugs that were being brought into the country and distributed, the penalty is ten years to life.”
Harper closed her eyes and leaned against the back of the sofa. Chase eased her against him and settled an arm around her shoulders.
Harper took a deep breath. He could see she was working to summon her courage, force herself to face the truth.
“It’s hard to believe,” she said. “I’ve been praying you wouldn’t find anything, that it was all some kind of mistake.” She looked at Tanner. “You got all this from the bug Chase put in my father’s study?”
“No. We’ve been aware of your father’s criminal activities for years. Eventually our investigation became official. We finally got the proof we needed from the warrant we obtained, which allowed us to search his residence and warehouse locations. What we found gave us enough to make an arrest.”
“What about—”
“I’m sorry, Harper, that’s all I can say. This is an ongoing investigation. I shouldn’t even be telling you this much. By tonight it won’t matter. The details will be picked up by the media and be all over the news.”
Harper didn’t say more. Chase wondered what she was thinking, whether she blamed her father’s arrest on him and if so, what it would mean to their already shaky relationship.
Tanner rose from his chair. “I need to get going. For your sake, Harper, I’m sorry it turned out this way.”
She swallowed but made no reply.
Maddox walked Tanner out of the study, leaving Chase alone with Harper.
“I’m sorry, honey. I really am.”
She turned, pierced him with a cool blue stare. “I don’t think you’re sorry. I think you’re glad the police finally arrested him.”
