Chapter 9 - THE COMMISSIONER’S CONFESSION
Nathaniel stepped onto the balcony.
His weapon hung at his side.
Evelyn looked up at him.
“You killed my father?”
Nathaniel’s face was filled with shame.
“I caused the accident.”
Evelyn could barely breathe.
“Why?”
“Your father discovered the Ashford network.”
“He stole documents from Eleanor’s husband.”
“He asked me to help him expose everything.”
Eleanor laughed.
“And Nathaniel chose his career.”
Nathaniel closed his eyes.
“I was a young detective.”
“My captain was on the Ashford payroll.”
“He ordered me to frighten your father.”
“I followed his car.”
“I forced him toward the river road.”
“The rain was heavy.”
“His vehicle went through the barrier.”
Evelyn’s voice broke.
“And you left him there.”
“No.”
“I pulled him from the car.”
“He was still alive.”
Nathaniel looked directly at her.
“He made me promise to protect you and Margaret.”
“What happened next?”
“Eleanor’s husband arrived.”
Eleanor’s expression turned hard.
“He finished what Nathaniel started.”
Evelyn stared at Eleanor.
“You watched him die?”
“I watched my husband protect our family.”
“You call murder protection?”
“I call survival protection.”
Julian smiled.
“This confession is touching.”
“But I still need the chip.”
Nathaniel lifted the evidence sleeve.
The black chip glimmered beneath the spotlight.
Evelyn looked toward him.
“You said the lab received an empty envelope.”
“I lied.”
Nathaniel held it over the balcony rail.
“Release Lily.”
Julian nodded toward the detective.
The man pushed Lily into the aisle.
“Walk to your mother.”
Lily took one frightened step.
Then another.
Evelyn opened her arms.
Julian watched the chip.
He did not watch Lily.
Eleanor suddenly kicked backward.
Her chair struck Julian’s knees.
His gun fired into the ceiling.
Lily ran.
Evelyn pulled her to the floor.
Nathaniel threw the chip toward the stage.
Julian dove for it.
The detective fired at Nathaniel.
The bullet struck the balcony rail.
Officers stormed through the theater doors.
The detective grabbed Lily’s ankle.
Evelyn kicked his hand away.
Eleanor rolled her chair into him.
He fell against the stage steps.
Julian seized the chip.
He ran behind the curtain.
Nathaniel shouted into his radio.
“He’s heading underground!”
Eleanor looked at Evelyn.
“There are tunnels beneath the theater.”
“Where do they lead?”
“To the river.”
A deep rumbling shook the floor.
Smoke began pouring from beneath the stage.
Julian had set the building on fire.
Eleanor’s ropes were still tied.
She looked at Evelyn.
“Leave me.”
Evelyn lifted Lily into her arms.
Then she looked at the woman who had framed her child and helped hide her father’s murder.
The flames grew brighter.
Eleanor coughed.
“Go!”
Evelyn placed Lily in Nathaniel’s arms.
May you like
“Take her outside.”
Then she ran back toward Eleanor.
