Salt Kiss – Episode 49
The former employee had not acted alone. Financial records connected him to a Laurence family adviser responsible for negotiating the marriage terms.
The adviser stood to lose access to several accounts once the alliance took effect. Murdering Isolde or discrediting the engagement would preserve his control.
“We finally have motive,” Tristan said. “But not enough proof for an arrest.”
Mark proposed using the wedding announcement as bait. If they publicly accelerated the marriage, the adviser would be forced to act before his access disappeared.
Isolde’s face tightened. “You want me to advertise the cage I just escaped.”
“Only as a performance,” Mark said.
“Performances have a way of becoming obligations.”
Tristan supported her hesitation. The plan could expose the enemy, but it would also place Isolde at the center of another attack.
“Then give me control of the announcement,” she said after considering it. “My words, my conditions, my decision to withdraw.”
Mark agreed. The public statement described the marriage as a partnership between equals and named Isolde as an independent representative of her family interests.
The adviser responded within hours, requesting a private meeting to discuss assets before the announcement became final.
They arranged the meeting at the Lyonesse, where Tristan controlled every entrance. Hidden agents occupied adjacent rooms.
Before the operation, Isolde found Tristan checking his weapon. “If this goes wrong, do not sacrifice yourself again.”
“That is not a promise I can make.”
She touched his face as she had beside the convoy. This time she did not lean closer.
Mark entered and saw them. Jealousy appeared, then gave way to conscious restraint.
“When this is over,” Mark said, “the three of us finish the conversation we keep postponing.”
A security alert interrupted them. The adviser had arrived early—and he had brought Isolde’s father at gunpoint.