Chapter 12 - The Choice
“Move and he dies.”
Richard’s voice was calm.
Daniel froze.
Michael pressed one hand against his side.
Blood slipped through his fingers.
“Dad,” Daniel said.
Richard smiled.
“You still call me that.”
Daniel looked at him.
“You’re threatening your sons.”
“I built everything you have.”
“No. You poisoned everything we have.”
Richard’s face tightened.
Claire was behind the desk with Vanessa.
Arthur lay against the wall, stunned but moving.
Police were somewhere beyond the stairwell.
Nobody had a clean shot.
Richard glanced toward the boxes.
“Burn them.”
Daniel said, “No.”
Richard aimed at Michael’s head.
“Burn them.”
Michael laughed weakly.
“Don’t.”
“Shut up.”
Michael looked at Daniel.
“Don’t.”
Daniel’s throat tightened.
His entire life with Michael flashed through his mind.
Fighting as kids.
Sneaking beer at sixteen.
Standing beside each other at their mother’s funeral.
Michael holding Ethan for the first time.
Michael searching beside Daniel for Claire.
Lying, yes.
But also trying to undo something bigger than either of them.
Richard cocked the gun.
“One son or the files.”
Daniel looked toward the boxes.
Then at Michael.
He reached for the fuel can sitting near the wall.
Richard smiled.
“Good.”
Daniel lifted it.
Michael closed his eyes.
Daniel threw the can.
Not at the files.
At Richard.
Fuel splashed across his suit.
Richard fired wildly.
Daniel hit the floor.
Grant shouted from the stairs.
“Drop the weapon!”
Richard turned.
Claire lunged from behind the desk.
She slammed a metal lamp into his wrist.
The gun fell.
Daniel kicked it away.
Grant and two officers rushed him.
Richard fought like a trapped animal.
For an old man, he was strong.
But not strong enough.
They forced him facedown.
Handcuffs clicked shut.
For one second, Daniel thought it was over.
Then Vanessa screamed.
Arthur was gone.
So was Sophie.
Daniel’s heart stopped.
“No!”
They ran upstairs.
Ethan was still tied to the chair.
His eyes were wild.
“He took her!”
“Where?”
“Roof!”
Daniel cut his son free.
“Stay here.”
“No.”
“Ethan.”
“That’s my sister.”
Daniel saw himself in the boy’s face.
Stubborn.
Terrified.
Unwilling to stay behind.
“Stay with Uncle Michael.”
Daniel ran.
The stairs to the roof shook under his feet.
Rain poured through the open hatch.
He climbed out.
Arthur stood near the edge.
One arm around Sophie.
A gun pressed against her side.
Daniel stopped.
“Let her go.”
Arthur smiled.
“You Mercer men always think you can order the world around.”
“She’s eight.”
“She’s leverage.”
Sophie was crying silently.
Daniel lifted his hands.
“Take me.”
Arthur laughed.
“You?”
“Yes.”
“You’re worth less to me than she is.”
Daniel took one step.
Arthur dragged Sophie closer to the edge.
“Stop!”
Daniel stopped.
Sophie looked at her father.
Her lips trembled.
Then she whispered:
“Dad…”
“Yes, baby.”
“Mommy taught me something.”
Arthur frowned.
“What?”
Sophie stomped down as hard as she could on Arthur’s foot.
He cursed.
She bit his arm.
He jerked backward.
Daniel ran.
Arthur lost his grip.
Sophie slipped.
Her body went over the edge.
Daniel dove.
He caught her wrist with one hand.
His chest slammed against the roof.
Sophie screamed below him.
“Dad!”
“I’ve got you!”
Arthur stood behind him.
Raised the gun.
Daniel couldn’t let go.
Couldn’t turn.
Then another voice cut through the storm.
“Drop it.”
Arthur froze.
Vanessa stood behind him.
Holding Daniel’s gun.
Her face was wet with rain and tears.
Arthur stared at his daughter.
“You won’t.”
Vanessa’s hands shook.
“No.”
Arthur smiled.
“That’s my girl.”
She lowered the gun.
Then said:
“But the police will.”
Grant stepped from behind the roof access door.
“Arthur Vale, drop the weapon.”
May you like
Arthur turned.
And made one final mistake.
