Chapter 11 - EVERYONE HAS A PRICE
Julian’s gun remained pointed at Sloane.
But his eyes were on Hayes.
“Is it true?”
Hayes didn’t answer.
“Is it true?”
“Yes.”
The word hit like a punch.
Lily began crying.
Julian’s voice went quiet.
“Why?”
“Sloane was my supervisor.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“He threatened my family.”
“You destroyed evidence in my wife’s murder.”
“I didn’t know she’d been murdered yet.”
“You knew something was wrong.”
“Yes.”
Julian looked away.
Sloane smiled.
“This is why trust is such an expensive luxury.”
“Shut up.”
“You spent your entire career thinking there were good people and bad people.”
Sloane pressed the gun closer to Lily.
“There are only people with pressure points.”
Julian saw Lily’s eyes.
She was looking at him.
Then at the floor.
Then back at him.
A broken metal pipe lay beside her chair.
She was telling him something.
Julian shifted slightly.
Sloane noticed.
“Don’t.”
Julian stopped.
“Okay.”
Sloane smiled.
“Put your gun down.”
Julian slowly lowered it.
“Kick it away.”
He did.
“Nora too.”
Hayes obeyed.
Sloane relaxed.
That was the mistake.
Lily kicked the pipe.
It rolled across the floor.
Julian lunged.
Sloane fired.
The bullet tore through Julian’s shoulder.
He crashed into Sloane.
Hayes dove for her gun.
Lily screamed.
Sloane struck Julian with the pistol.
Once.
Twice.
Julian grabbed his wrist.
The gun fired again.
Hayes shot Sloane in the leg.
He collapsed.
Julian punched him hard.
Sloane dropped the weapon.
Hayes kicked it away.
Lily sobbed.
“Daddy!”
Julian untied her with one hand.
Blood soaked his shirt.
“I’m okay.”
“You’re bleeding!”
“I’m okay.”
Sloane laughed from the floor.
“No, you’re not.”
Julian looked at him.
Sloane’s face was pale, but amused.
“You think Eleanor was the top of this?”
Julian stared.
“What are you talking about?”
Sloane grinned.
“She wasn’t stealing for herself.”
“Who was she stealing for?”
Sloane looked toward the bunker door.
Then smiled.
May you like
“Ask the senator.”
Before Julian could speak, the lights went out.
