Chapter 14 - THE LAST LIE
Marcus aimed at Jonah’s chest.
Jonah kept his gun steady.
Victoria pressed herself against the wall.
Alexander stared at Jonah.
“Your father killed Daniel?”
“Yes.”
“On Richard’s orders?”
Jonah’s eyes shifted.
“That’s what I believed.”
“Believed?”
“Until six months ago.”
Marcus said,
“Put the gun down.”
Jonah looked at him.
“You first.”
Alexander raised his voice.
“Both of you.”
Neither moved.
Alexander stepped between them.
“If anyone fires, you might hit me.”
Marcus cursed.
Jonah lowered his weapon first.
Marcus followed.
Alexander turned to Jonah.
“Talk.”
“My father worked private security for Richard.”
“That we know.”
“He followed Daniel’s car.”
“That we know.”
“He caused the crash.”
Victoria covered her mouth.
Alexander’s face became stone.
“And then?”
“He went down the hill.”
“You’re telling me he pulled my father out.”
“Yes.”
“And shot him.”
Jonah nodded.
Alexander punched him.
Jonah hit the metal wall.
Marcus moved forward.
Alexander grabbed Jonah’s jacket.
“You knew this while standing in my house?”
“Yes.”
“You knew when we went to Samuel?”
“Yes.”
“You son of a—”
Jonah shoved him back.
“My father was a murderer. I know.”
Alexander swung again.
Marcus caught his arm.
“Enough.”
Alexander ripped free.
“No. Not enough.”
Jonah wiped blood from his mouth.
“My father confessed before he died.”
Alexander stopped.
“When?”
“Seven years ago.”
“What else did he say?”
Jonah’s breathing slowed.
“He said Richard didn’t give the final order.”
Alexander stared.
“Who did?”
Jonah looked toward Victoria.
She shook her head.
“No.”
“What?” Alexander demanded.
Jonah reached into his jacket.
Marcus raised his weapon.
Jonah froze.
“Relax.”
He pulled out a recorder.
“My father’s confession.”
He pressed play.
An old man’s voice filled the storage unit.
“I hit the Reed car at 11:43. Richard said scare Daniel, take the files, keep the woman quiet.”
Alexander listened.
Then another sentence.
“But after the crash, Samuel called.”
Alexander’s eyes widened.
The recording continued.
“He said Daniel was too dangerous. Said Richard was weak. Said if Daniel lived, everyone went down.”
Marcus whispered,
“Samuel.”
Jonah nodded.
The recording played on.
“Samuel told me to finish it.”
Alexander felt sick.
Samuel had hired Jonah.
Samuel had helped them.
Samuel had given them the vault.
Samuel had almost died in the farmhouse.
Or made it look that way.
Victoria whispered,
“He played everybody.”
Jonah stopped the recording.
“My father said Samuel built the whole financial network. Richard stole money, yes. But Samuel moved it. Samuel hid it. Daniel found out.”
Alexander’s phone rang.
Evelyn.
He answered.
“Mom?”
Her voice was panicked.
“Alexander, where are you?”
“With Marcus.”
“Good. Listen to me.”
“What happened?”
“Samuel is here.”
Alexander froze.
“At the hospital?”
“Yes.”
“What does he want?”
Evelyn’s voice broke.
“The coin.”
Marcus touched the chain around his neck.
Then Evelyn screamed.
The line went dead.
Alexander looked at Marcus.
“Hospital.”
They ran.
By the time they arrived, Evelyn’s room was empty.
A nurse lay unconscious near the door.
On the pillow was a note.
BRING THE COIN AND THE BOX TO THE REED TOWER.
May you like
COME ALONE, ALEXANDER.
OR YOUR MOTHER FINALLY JOINS YOUR FATHER.
