Chapter 13 - THE BETRAYAL
Ethan didn’t believe it.
I did.
Not because Mason looked guilty.
Because betrayal rarely looks guilty.
That’s why it works.
We ran back toward the mansion.
Ethan called Mason.
No answer.
Again.
Nothing.
Daniel stumbled beside me, crying silently for Margaret.
I wanted to comfort him.
There was no time.
When we reached the main drive, one of Ethan’s SUVs was missing.
Mercer met us outside.
“Mason came in wounded.”
“And?”
“He said you ordered him to move Noah.”
Ethan’s face became stone.
“I didn’t.”
“I know that now.”
“Where did he take him?”
“North garage.”
I pulled out my phone.
“Track Noah’s watch.”
Mercer stared at me.
“He has a watch?”
“I gave it to him for his birthday.”
Ethan looked offended.
“You gave my son a tracking device?”
“I worked for you. It seemed practical.”
The signal appeared.
Moving east.
Fast.
“Route 17.”
Ethan grabbed keys.
We took another SUV.
No guards.
No convoy.
Just Ethan driving, me in the passenger seat, Daniel in back.
Rain hammered the windshield.
“Why would Mason betray you?” I asked.
“He wouldn’t.”
“Stop saying that.”
“He’s been with me fifteen years.”
“So was Margaret.”
Ethan’s hands tightened on the wheel.
“Different.”
“Is it?”
He looked at me.
“Claire.”
“What?”
“If you’re trying to help, now isn’t the time.”
“I am helping. I’m reminding you that trust is what got Noah poisoned under your roof.”
He went quiet.
Daniel spoke from the back.
“Mason visited me.”
Ethan looked in the mirror.
“When?”
“At Margaret’s house.”
“How many times?”
“A lot.”
My stomach sank.
“What did they talk about?”
“I don’t know.”
“Think.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
“Ships.”
Ethan turned toward me.
“The port.”
We changed route.
Ten minutes later, we saw Mason’s SUV.
Abandoned.
Door open.
Blood on the seat.
No Noah.
Ethan found Mason twenty yards away in a ditch.
Alive.
Barely.
“Mason!”
He knelt beside him.
Mason’s eyes opened.
“Boss…”
“You took Noah.”
“I tried…”
Ethan grabbed his shirt.
“Tried what?”
“To save him.”
“From who?”
“Victor.”
“You handed him to Victor.”
“No.”
Mason coughed blood.
“Your father.”
Ethan froze.
“My father is dead.”
Mason almost laughed.
“No one in your family stays dead.”
A black sedan appeared at the end of the road.
It stopped.
Rear door opened.
An old man stepped out.
Tall.
White-haired.
Walking with a cane.
Ethan whispered, “Dad.”
Arthur Caldwell.
Officially dead for nine years.
He looked at Ethan.
Then at Daniel.
Then at me.
“Where is Noah?” Ethan shouted.
Arthur smiled.
“Safe.”
“You poisoned my son.”
“I improved him.”
Ethan pulled his gun.
Arthur didn’t move.
“You were always too emotional.”
“You have three seconds.”
Arthur sighed.
“Rebecca said that too.”
Ethan’s finger tightened on the trigger.
I stepped closer.
“Where’s Noah?”
Arthur looked at me.
“So you’re Claire.”
I hated how many criminals knew my name.
“You’re the rehabilitation specialist.”
“I’m his nanny.”
“No.”
Arthur smiled.
“You’re the reason he survived.”
He opened the sedan door wider.
Noah sat inside.
Alive.
Awake.
Holding a small device.
“Dad!”
Ethan ran forward.
Arthur raised one hand.
Noah cried.
“Don’t come closer!”
Ethan stopped.
“Buddy?”
Noah looked terrified.
Arthur placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Show your father what you’re holding.”
Noah lifted the device.
A red button sat in the center.
Arthur smiled.
“A dead-man trigger.”
I felt cold.
“If Noah lets go…”
Arthur nodded.
“The entire underground lab detonates.”
Ethan stared at him.
“There are children down there.”
“Yes.”
May you like
Arthur smiled.
“That’s what makes this negotiation interesting.”
