Chapter 14 - THE LAST CHOICE
Adrian chased Evelyn’s trail through the old streets of Bellhaven.
The red coat button led toward the harbor.
Ortiz called in police units, but Adrian knew Evelyn had people inside the department. He trusted only Marcus, Daniel, Claire, and Ortiz.
At the docks, an abandoned ferry waited with its engine running.
Emma’s blue ribbon was tied to the railing.
Claire ran toward the boat.
Adrian caught her arm. “Wait.”
A sniper’s bullet struck the metal beside her head.
Adrian pulled her behind a stack of crates.
Daniel pointed toward a warehouse roof. “There!”
He fired.
The sniper disappeared.
A voice came from the ferry.
“Adrian!”
Evelyn stood on the deck with Emma in front of her.
The child’s wrists were tied, but her eyes were focused.
“Come aboard,” Evelyn called. “Or she goes into the water.”
Adrian lowered his weapon.
Claire whispered, “Don’t.”
“She’s my daughter.”
“We’ll find another way.”
“There isn’t time.”
He stepped onto the ferry.
Evelyn smiled. “Your father was right. You always choose emotion over power.”
“Let Emma go.”
“Open the account.”
“I don’t know how.”
Evelyn held up the silver key. “You know exactly how.”
She forced Adrian into the cabin, where a metal console had been built into the wall.
A narrow slot waited for the key.
Emma watched him.
Adrian remembered the recording.
He was meant to end the Ledger.
The key was only part of the system.
He needed the heir.
“Bring Emma here,” he said.
Evelyn pushed the child forward.
Adrian knelt beside her. “Emma, do you trust me?”
She nodded.
“Put your hand on the glass.”
He placed her palm against a small scanner.
The machine lit up.
Evelyn laughed. “Finally.”
A hidden screen displayed hundreds of accounts and names.
But beneath the list was a second option:
RELEASE ALL EVIDENCE TO PUBLIC AUTHORITIES.
Evelyn saw it too.
“No!”
She grabbed Emma.
Adrian slammed the key into the console and pressed the release button.
Every file transmitted to news stations, police departments, and federal investigators across the country.
Sirens erupted outside the harbor.
Evelyn pulled a gun and aimed it at Adrian.
Claire burst through the cabin door and struck Evelyn’s arm.
The gun fired.
The ferry lurched away from the dock.
Evelyn stumbled backward over the railing.
Adrian caught her wrist.
For one moment, he held the woman who had destroyed his family.
“Help me,” Evelyn gasped.
Adrian looked into her eyes.
Claire stood behind him. Emma clung to her dress.
Evelyn’s grip began to slip.
“Adrian!”
He pulled her back onto the deck.
Then Evelyn smiled.
May you like
A tiny red light blinked beneath her coat.
Cliffhanger: She had strapped explosives to the ferry.
