Chapter 5 - The Web of Deceit
Within an hour, Sloan was whisked away in Cormack’s armored sedan, guarded by four heavily armed security vehicles cutting through the sleet-slicked streets of Boston. As the motorcade sped toward the private Sheridan medical wing where Birdie was being secretly transferred, Cormack opened the worn leather ledger Sloan had guarded with her life.
Under the dim interior lights of the car, Cormack turned the yellowed pages of his father's personal diary. The entries laid out a chilling conspiracy spanning over two decades. Eleanor Sheridan had not merely been an overbearing socialite; she had been systematically embezzling from the family shipping ports, funneling millions into the rival Morretti syndicate in New York to build her own private criminal empire. When Arthur Sheridan discovered her betrayal twenty years ago, his sudden "heart attack" had been quietly orchestrated with an un-traceable digitalis compound.
"My father didn't die of natural causes," Cormack said softly, his voice chilling the warm interior of the vehicle. "She killed him because he was going to cut her out of the will. And now she wanted you gone because she knew your father kept this ledger."
"My father told me before he died to keep the case safe," Sloan explained, her voice steadying as she felt Cormack's warm hand holding hers tightly. "He said if the Sheridan family ever fell into darkness, the truth inside the piano would be the only thing that could shine a light."
Dermit’s phone buzzed sharply in the front passenger seat. He answered, listened for a few tense seconds, and glanced back at Cormack through the rearview mirror.
"Boss, Eleanor has called an emergency assembly of the syndicate board at the downtown harbor penthouse. She thinks you're out of the city looking for Sloan. She’s presenting documents claiming you are emotionally unfit to lead following the sudden breakup, attempting to seize control of the waterfront assets tonight."
A dark, lethal smile touched the corners of Cormack’s lips. "She thinks grief has blinded me. She believes her own son is as soft as the men she manipulates."
He leaned toward Sloan, his thumb gently caressing her knuckles. "For months, you've had to play her cruel game. Tonight, you're going to watch me end it. But first, we make sure your mother is safe."
When they arrived at the Sheridan private clinic in Brookline, Sloan was led into a warm, sunlit suite on the top floor. Birdie Ashby was already tucked under soft blankets, breathing peacefully under the watch of three top neurologists and two armed guards outside the door. When Birdie opened her eyes and saw Sloan, she smiled faintly.
"Did you finish tuning the piano, sweetie?" Birdie asked softly.
May you like
Sloan leaned down, kissing her mother's forehead, tears of pure relief falling from her lashes. "Yes, Mom. It's perfectly in tune now. We're safe."
Cormack stood in the doorway, watching the woman he loved protect her mother with fierce dignity. He turned to Dermit, his expression hardening into pure iron. "Ready the penthouse team. It's time to pay my mother a visit."
