Chapter 13 - THE LAST TRAP
Elena knew Marcus didn’t have Thomas.
She called the hospital.
Thomas was safe under federal protection.
Marcus was bluffing.
But the photograph told Elena something else.
Marcus was close.
She called the federal agent handling the investigation.
“I think I can bring him in.”
“Elena, absolutely not.”
“He wants the ledger.”
“We already have it.”
“He doesn’t know that.”
Silence.
Then the agent understood.
The meeting was arranged at an abandoned Mercer & Vale property in Queens.
The place where everything had begun.
Elena walked inside carrying a briefcase.
Marcus emerged from the shadows.
For the first time, he didn’t look elegant.
He looked old.
Tired.
Cornered.
“You destroyed everything.”
Elena shook her head.
“You did.”
“I gave you your company.”
“You used my company.”
“I made you.”
Elena stepped closer.
“No.”
Her voice was calm.
“You gave me money.”
“I built everything else.”
Marcus’s face twisted.
“Give me the ledger.”
Elena placed the briefcase on the floor.
“Tell me why.”
“Why what?”
“Why destroy my family?”
Marcus stared at her.
Then laughed.
“Because your father thought being good made him stronger than me.”
“And my mother?”
“Weak.”
“And me?”
Marcus looked at Elena.
“You were supposed to become useful.”
She smiled slightly.
“That was your mistake.”
“What?”
“You thought I belonged to you.”
Sirens suddenly sounded outside.
Marcus turned.
His face changed.
“You wired yourself.”
Elena shook her head.
“The entire building is wired.”
Federal agents entered seconds later.
Marcus didn’t resist.
As they placed him in handcuffs, he looked at Elena.
“You think this fixes twenty-five years?”
Elena met his eyes.
May you like
“No.”
“But it stops you from stealing another one.”
