Chapter 9 - THE FARMHOUSE
Marcus was already packing weapons when Alexander entered the security room.
“You’re not going.”
Alexander ignored him.
“Where is Samuel?”
“Outside Casper.”
“How soon can we fly?”
Marcus turned.
“I said you’re not going.”
“And I ignored you.”
“This isn’t a board meeting.”
“No.”
“These men killed your father.”
“I know.”
“They tried to kill your mother.”
“I know.”
“They just breached a network I designed.”
Alexander looked at him.
“Then maybe you need help.”
Marcus almost laughed.
“You’ve never been in a gunfight.”
“I’ve been shot at twice today.”
“That doesn’t make you trained.”
“No. It makes me motivated.”
Three hours later, their jet landed in Wyoming.
A black SUV carried them toward Samuel’s property.
Snow covered the fields.
The farmhouse stood alone beneath a wide gray sky.
No lights.
No smoke from the chimney.
Marcus slowed the vehicle.
“This is wrong.”
Alexander looked around.
“What?”
“No tire tracks.”
“Maybe nobody’s there.”
Marcus reached for his pistol.
“That’s what’s wrong.”
They parked two hundred yards away.
Marcus handed Alexander a small radio.
“Stay behind me.”
They crossed the field.
The back door hung open.
Marcus entered first.
Kitchen.
Empty.
Living room.
Empty.
Then they heard a groan.
Basement.
Marcus opened the door.
“Samuel?”
No answer.
They moved down slowly.
An old man was tied to a chair.
Same clothes as the photograph.
Same blood on his forehead.
Alexander ran toward him.
Marcus grabbed his shoulder.
“Wait.”
He checked the floor.
No wires.
No explosives.
Then he cut the ropes.
Samuel Price coughed.
“Daniel?”
Alexander froze.
“No.”
Samuel squinted at him.
Then his eyes widened.
“My God.”
“You knew my father?”
Samuel began crying.
“You look just like him.”
Alexander knelt.
“Who did this?”
“Men.”
“Jonah Vale?”
Samuel nodded.
Marcus stiffened.
“Where is he?”
“Gone.”
Alexander looked around.
“Why leave you alive?”
Samuel laughed weakly.
“They didn’t.”
Marcus’s eyes narrowed.
Samuel opened his shirt.
A small device was taped to his chest.
Red numbers counted down.
00:58.
00:57.
Alexander stumbled back.
“What the hell?”
Marcus moved fast.
“Don’t touch it.”
“Can you stop it?”
“Maybe.”
Samuel grabbed Alexander’s sleeve.
“Forget me.”
“No.”
“Listen.”
“We’re getting you out.”
“Listen!”
Alexander stopped.
Samuel’s voice shook.
“Your father hid copies.”
“Of what?”
“Everything.”
“Where?”
“He split the key.”
“What key?”
“Three pieces.”
Marcus examined the device.
“Alexander, I need you upstairs.”
“No.”
“Now.”
Samuel held tighter.
“Your mother has one.”
Alexander stared.
“Who has the others?”
Samuel coughed blood.
“Richard has one.”
“And the third?”
Samuel’s eyes filled with fear.
“Your father gave it to a child.”
Alexander frowned.
“What child?”
Samuel looked directly at Marcus.
“Him.”
May you like
Marcus froze.
The timer hit thirty seconds.
