Chapter 13 - THE CORRUPT DETECTIVE
Victor was handcuffed in front of his family.
Mercer ordered his officers to seize every phone and document.
Lily slipped her father’s notebook beneath a sofa cushion.
Serena was brought into the room without restraints.
Victor looked at Mercer.
“You are releasing her.”
“She is a victim.”
Serena moved beside Evelyn.
The two women exchanged a glance.
The truth became clear.
Serena had never controlled the plan.
She had been one part of it.
Evelyn was the architect.
Mercer turned to Lily.
“You are coming too.”
“On what charge?”
“Fraud.”
“Obstruction.”
“Planting evidence.”
Lily looked toward Marcus.
He gave the smallest shake of his head.
Do not resist.
As officers moved forward, the lights went out.
The mansion dropped into darkness.
Marcus had shut down the main system.
Isabella grabbed Ethan from the nurse and ran toward the hidden service corridor.
Lily reached beneath the sofa and recovered the notebook.
Mercer fired toward the sound.
Victor drove his shoulder into him.
They crashed against the desk.
Serena screamed.
Evelyn did not.
She calmly walked toward the secret exit behind the bookshelves.
Lily saw her.
“She is escaping!”
Marcus chased Evelyn into the tunnel.
Victor pulled the gun from Mercer’s hand.
The lights returned.
Several officers lowered their weapons.
They had heard Mercer giving illegal orders.
One of them turned toward him.
“Sir, why was Miss Montigue released?”
Mercer stared at the officer.
“Do what you are told.”
The officer removed his body camera.
“It has been recording.”
Mercer’s face changed.
Victor looked at the other policemen.
“Your detective is working for Evelyn Blackwood.”
“Check his bank accounts.”
“Check his calls.”
Mercer tried to run.
Two officers tackled him before he reached the door.
Serena backed toward the window.
Lily blocked her.
“This time, everyone heard you.”
Serena smiled strangely.
“You still think this is over.”
A deep explosion shook the house.
Glass shattered.
Smoke poured from the east wing.
Victor looked toward the service corridor.
“Ethan.”
Isabella’s voice came through the communication device.
“We are trapped.”
“The tunnel is burning.”
Victor ran toward the flames.
Behind him, Serena whispered to Lily.
“Evelyn said the house would burn before the truth left it.”
Lily stared at the spreading smoke.
Then she realized the notebook in her hands was not the only evidence inside the mansion.
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Her father’s original recordings were hidden below the nursery.
And the fire was moving directly toward them.
