Chapter 16:A Trail of lies...

The air grew colder as we neared the abandoned side of town. This place had been forgotten. The cobbled streets were cracked, the buildings worn down by time and neglect. Even the wind carried whispers of something long lost.

Lillian pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulder. "I don't like this place."

Neither did I. The buildings looked like silent sentinels, their darkened windows staring back at us with unseen eyes. It wasn't just abandoned - it felt empty, like something had drained the very life from the streets. But fear wouldn't stop me. Not now.

We moved cautiously scanning the streets for movement. Every shadow felt like it was watching us. The sun was sinking, casting everything in an eerie grow.

Lillian hesitated beside me. "What if he doesn't want to be found?"

I clenched my fists. "Then we make him talk."

Her breath hitched, but she nodded. She understood.

We had no other choice.

For what felt like an eternity,we wandered through the empty alleys, listening, waiting.

Then,I saw a faint flicker of light - barely visible through the cracked shutters of an abandoned shop.

I froze, nudging Lillian,she followed my gaze and sucked in a breath. " Someone's inside."

A shop this deep in the quarter should have been boarded up like the rest. Yet, here it was - dim light spilling from inside.

I pressed a finger to my lips, signaling silence. Then carefully I crept forward. The door was slightly ajar, just enough to see inside.

Lillian's grip tightened on my wrist. "Everly, what if...."I slipped inside before she could finish.

The room was dark, filled with the scent of dust and damp wood. A single candle flickered on a far table, it's weak glow illuminating stacks of papers scattered across the surface. And standing in the middle of it all - Carter.

His back was to me, shoulders tense. He hadn't heard us yet.

I stepped closer,my voice barely above a whisper. "Carter."

He froze.

Slowly he turned. His face was pale, his eyes haunted. For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then,he exhaled. "You shouldn't be here."

Lillian slipped in behind me, closing the door. "Neither should you."

Carter ran a hand through his hair. "I don't have time for this."

I narrowed my eyes. "Then make time."

His jaw clenched. "You don't understand, Everly."

I stepped forward. "Then explain it to me," I shot back. "Because from where I'm standing,it looks like you betrayed me."

Pain flashed in his eyes just for a second. "I didn't have a choice."

I shook my head. "There's always a choice."

Carter let out a bitter laugh. "Not this time."

Lillian crossed her arms. "You gave Thompson the ledger.

He hesitated.

And in that hesitation,I saw it - the truth he didn't want to say.

Lillian gasped. "You didn't give him everything."

Carter inhaled sharply. "I couldn't."

My pulse quickened. So I was right. "You hid something."

His shoulders stiffened. " Yes"

Carter moved past us locking the door. Then he turned back, his voice urgent. "You don't understand what that ledger really is."

I frowned. "Then tell me."

He hesitated,as if debating whether to trust me.

Finally he spoke. "The ledger - it's not just a record.

I crossed my arms. " Then what is it?"

Carter's gaze darkened. "It's a death list."

Lillian stiffened. "What?"

Carter exhaled. "It contains names. Not just criminals or smuggler's - but powerful men. People Thompson could destroy."

I felt my stomach turn. That means - "if Thompson has that ledger..." I whispered.

"He owns them,"Carter finished. "Or kills them."

Lillian's face paled. "And you left it with him?"

Carter shook his head. "I took the most important page before I handed it over."

I felt a surge of hope. "You have it?"

Carter hesitated,"No I hid it."

I stared at him, realization drawing. "That's why you disappeared?"

Lillian gripped my arm. " Everly, this is bad.

If Thompson finds out Carter took something..."

"He'll kill him ," I finished.

Carter gave a humorless smile. "That's the idea."

I clenched my fists. "Then we need to get that page before he does."

Carter shook his head. "No. You to get out of here."

I glared at him. " Not happening."

Carter looked pained. "Everly,if you stay, you'll get caught in this."

I lifted my chin. " I already am."

Lillian sighed. "She's not going to leave, Carter, neither am I."

Carter ran a hand over his face. "You two are impossible."

I smirked. "We try."

Carter groaned. " Fine. But if we do this,we do it my way."

His eyes hardened, We steal the ledger back."

Lillian's eyes widened. "That's impossible."

Carter exhaled. "Not if we move fast. Thompson won't expect it."

I narrowed my gaze. And how do you plan to do that?"Carter hesitated,then walked to the far side of the room, shifting a pile of books to reveal a folded map. He spread it out, pointing to a marked building.

"This is where Thompson keeps his records. The ledger will be there."

Lillian frowned. " You're sure?"

Carter's jaw tightened. "If he's smart,he won't keep it on him."

I studied the map. "How heavily guarded?"

Carter sighed. "Enough that it's a suicide mission if we go in blind."

Lillian shook her head. Then we're already losing."

I looked at Carter. "Do you have another plan?"

His lips pressed into a thin line.

"A contact inside, someone who owns me."

Lillian crossed her arms. "And you trust them?"

Carter's expression darkened. "No."

A beat of silence passed. I let out a slow breath. "Then,we better move fast."