Chapter 13 - THE LAKE HOUSE
Police vehicles surged toward the property.
Ethan’s surveillance van followed.
“Stay inside,” Collins ordered.
He did not.
The moment the vehicle stopped, Ethan jumped out.
Officers surrounded the house.
“Police!”
“Drop the weapon!”
Another gunshot.
Glass shattered.
Then Celeste screamed.
Ethan moved toward the side entrance.
Collins grabbed his arm.
“You are not going inside.”
“My daughter’s name was just mentioned.”
“And Sophie is safe.”
Ethan looked at her.
She was right.
His responsibility was Sophie.
Not revenge.
He forced himself to stop.
Inside, officers breached the house.
Two minutes later, Graham Voss emerged in handcuffs.
He looked at Ethan.
For the first time in Ethan’s life, the older man’s face held no warmth.
“You always were sentimental.”
Ethan stared at him.
“You murdered Amelia.”
Graham smiled faintly.
“No.”
“You just heard what you wanted to hear.”
Collins stepped between them.
“Save it for your attorney.”
Celeste came out next.
Blood stained her sleeve.
The bullet had grazed her upper arm.
She was conscious.
She looked at Ethan.
“I told you he was worse.”
Ethan said nothing.
Then an officer shouted from behind the house.
They had found Victor Hale.
He had been hiding in a detached boathouse.
Armed.
Carrying a backpack.
Inside were forged documents, cash, and another passport for Sophie.
Victor was arrested without further injury.
When Ethan saw him, seven years of grief almost became rage.
Victor looked ordinary.
That was the most disturbing part.
No monster’s face.
No obvious evil.
Just a tired middle-aged physician in a dirty coat.
Ethan walked close enough for Victor to hear him.
“My wife asked for me.”
Victor’s eyes changed.
Ethan knew Richard had told the truth.
“She asked for me at the hospital.”
Victor remained silent.
“You heard her.”
Nothing.
“You watched her die.”
Victor finally looked at him.
“She was going to destroy everything.”
Ethan felt Collins move closer.
He did not touch Victor.
“What exactly was everything?”
Victor laughed bitterly.
“Money.”
“Careers.”
“People who mattered.”
“Amelia thought truth mattered more.”
Ethan stared at him.
“She was right.”
Victor’s expression broke.
Just slightly.
Then Ethan asked the question that had haunted him since Richard’s confession.
“Was she afraid?”
Victor looked away.
Ethan’s voice cracked.
“Was my wife afraid?”
For the first time, Victor’s arrogance disappeared.
“No.”
Ethan stopped.
Victor swallowed.
“She was angry.”
“She kept saying your name.”
“She told me you would find out.”
Tears filled Ethan’s eyes.
Victor continued.
“She said Sophie would grow up knowing who her mother was.”
Ethan turned away.
He could not listen anymore.
Police loaded Victor into a vehicle.
Graham followed.
Richard was later charged separately.
Celeste remained in custody once her wound was treated.
The conspiracy had collapsed.
But one question remained.
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What would happen to Sophie’s trust?
And what would happen to the empire Amelia had died protecting?
