Chapter 8 - THE BROTHER WHO KNEW TOO MUCH
Daniel stared at Eric.
“Which warehouse?”
“North facility.”
“That building was closed.”
“It’s supposed to be.”
Rachel looked between them.
“How far?”
“Fifteen minutes,” Eric said.
Thomas laughed bitterly.
“We can’t even get out the door.”
Daniel looked around.
There had to be another way.
Old chapel.
Built in 1928.
Stone walls.
Side rooms.
Basement.
He had toured it with Vanessa months earlier.
Then he remembered.
“The wine cellar.”
Vanessa frowned.
“What?”
Daniel turned toward a narrow hallway behind the altar.
“When we booked this place, the manager mentioned an old delivery tunnel.”
The priest blinked.
“There is an access passage.”
Everyone looked at him.
“You’re telling us this now?” Eric snapped.
The priest glared.
“You were waving legal papers around and threatening people.”
“Where does it lead?” Daniel asked.
“Behind the cemetery.”
Daniel moved.
Eric followed.
“No.”
Daniel turned.
“You stay.”
“I know the warehouse.”
“You also helped create this nightmare.”
Eric’s jaw tightened.
“And right now that makes me useful.”
Daniel hated that he was right.
Mia stepped forward.
“I’m coming.”
“No.”
“Dad.”
“No.”
She crossed her arms exactly like Claire used to.
Daniel nearly lost the argument right there.
Rachel touched Mia’s shoulder.
“You stay with me.”
Mia shook her head.
“What if they lock us in here again?”
Daniel crouched.
“Mia, listen to me. I need you safe.”
“Then stay safe too.”
He swallowed.
“I’ll try.”
“No. Promise.”
Daniel looked into her eyes.
“I promise.”
Mia hugged him so suddenly he almost fell backward.
“Bring Lily back.”
“I will.”
She whispered, “And don’t trust Uncle Eric.”
Daniel looked over her shoulder.
Eric heard it.
He looked away.
The priest led Daniel, Eric, Thomas and Noah down a stone staircase behind the chapel kitchen.
Vanessa tried to follow.
Daniel blocked her.
“No.”
“You need me.”
“For what?”
“I know Marcus.”
Thomas said, “That’s exactly why you’re staying.”
Vanessa laughed.
“You think Marcus told Eric where everything was?”
Eric stopped.
Vanessa smiled.
“I know where Lily is.”
Noah stepped toward her.
“You better start talking.”
Vanessa pointed toward the tunnel.
“Take me with you.”
Daniel’s face hardened.
“Why?”
“Because B-17 isn’t a room.”
Eric frowned.
“Yes, it is.”
“No.”
She shook her head.
“B-17 is the old testing bunker under the warehouse.”
Eric stared.
“I didn’t know there was a bunker.”
“Marcus did.”
Daniel cursed under his breath.
Vanessa stepped closer.
“You want to find Lily? You need me.”
Thomas looked at Daniel.
“She’s probably lying.”
Vanessa snapped, “I’m trying to survive.”
“That’s the first honest thing you’ve said today.”
Daniel stared at her.
The woman he had almost married.
The woman he had kissed that morning.
The woman who had planned to take his daughter away.
“Why should I trust you?”
Vanessa’s eyes shone.
“You shouldn’t.”
Daniel frowned.
She continued.
“But you should believe that Marcus has no intention of letting any of us walk away.”
Eric’s face tightened.
“What do you mean?”
Vanessa looked at him.
“He knows too much went wrong.”
Thomas asked, “So?”
“So he cleans it up.”
Daniel understood.
“No witnesses.”
Vanessa nodded.
“No partners.”
She looked at Eric.
“No loose ends.”
For once, Eric had nothing to say.
Daniel looked toward the staircase.
Mia was standing above them.
She had heard everything.
“Mia!”
Rachel pulled her back.
But Mia shouted down.
“Dad!”
“What?”
She held something in her hand.
A small silver flash drive.
“I took this from Uncle Eric’s laptop!”
Eric’s face went white.
Daniel stared.
“What’s on it?”
Mia looked at Eric.
May you like
“He had a folder with Mom’s name.”
Eric whispered, “Oh, hell.”
