I hold up a hand to stop the brewing argument. “The problem isn’t what you did with it,” I say. “It’s the fact that the Bushrangers are here, and they seem to be after Zara. They either figured out you stole the money or they’re after her for a different reason.”
Fred’s expression shifts for the first time—real concern breaking through. “What do you mean?”
“I confronted the Bushrangers last night,” Chrome explains. “When I asked why they were in town, they said they came to collect something owed to them.”
Fred goes pale. “Owed?”
“We don’t know if the Bushrangers know you took the money,” I explain. “For all we know, they think the authorities seized the money. But they’re after Zara.”
Fred’s fingers tighten around the edge of his desk. “Why?”
“They were going to hurt her,” I say bluntly. “Before everything went down in Australia. She slipped through their grasp when I told you to take her and run.”
Fred closes his eyes as if someone punched him. “I never told her the full extent,” he whispers. “I thought if we moved, if we built something new…”
“Past doesn’t stay buried,” Mode mutters.
Fred opens his eyes again, resolve snapping back into place. “How much?” he asks.
“That’s not the point,” I say.
“If they want the money,” he presses, “I’ll pay it back. Every cent. I’ve done well with the store. I can liquidate assets. Take loans.”
“And if they don’t just want money?” Chrome asks quietly.
Fred swallows.
“I can make Zara come home,” he says. “I’ll tell her it’s not safe. I’ll pull her out of Fashion Week. She’ll listen.”
“No,” I say immediately.
All three men look at me.
“She’s worked too hard for this,” I continue. “She’s earned her place. Fashion Week is her shot. We’re not ripping that away because ghosts decided to rattle chains.”
Fred’s eyes search mine. “You can’t guarantee her safety.”
“No,” I admit. “But neither can you by locking her in a house. If the Bushrangers want her, they’ll find her in Arrowtown as easily as they found her here in Chicago.”
Silence settles heavily.
“We have a plan,” I say. “We have security in place, and we are adding more. We’ll have eyes on her at all times.”
Chrome nods once. “We can also get eyes on the Bushrangers.”
Fred studies us, weighing. “And if they demand repayment?”
“Then you need to be ready,” I tell him. “Gather whatever funds you can. Quietly. Don’t move anything yet. Just be prepared in case we need to negotiate.”
The word tastes bitter.
Fred nods slowly. “I never meant for my choices to endanger her.”
“I know,” I say, surprising myself with the honesty in it. “But what’s done is done.”
He looks tired now. Not defeated. Just aware.
“Protect her,” he says. It’s not a request. It’s a plea.
