Chapter 8 - EVELYN’S LAST VOICE
Emergency lights turned the basement red.
Thomas drew his weapon.
Elias whispered through the radio.
“Movement upstairs.”
Adrian held Evelyn’s file against his chest.
Marcus had expected them.
A voice came through the building speakers.
“Still chasing ghosts, Adrian?”
Marcus.
Adrian looked toward the ceiling.
“You left the door open.”
Marcus laughed.
“I knew Thomas would remember this place eventually.”
Grace was at the safe apartment with Lily and Emma.
That was the only fact keeping Adrian calm.
Marcus continued.
“You always needed someone to lead you.”
“Your father.”
“Then me.”
“Then Evelyn.”
“You’ve never known what to do with freedom.”
Adrian walked toward the hallway.
Thomas stopped him.
“It’s a trap.”
“I know.”
Marcus’s voice echoed.
“Do you want to hear her?”
Adrian froze.
A recording clicked.
Then Evelyn’s weak voice filled the basement.
“Lily?”
Adrian’s face broke.
“Where is Lily?”
A nurse answered softly.
“We’re trying to find out.”
“No.”
Evelyn struggled to breathe.
“Thomas had her.”
“He took her.”
“Please tell Adrian.”
The recording stopped.
Adrian looked at the speaker.
Marcus whispered, “There’s more.”
Adrian said nothing.
“Come upstairs alone.”
Thomas grabbed his shoulder.
“No.”
Adrian removed Thomas’s hand.
“If Marcus wanted me dead, he had fifteen years.”
“He wants control.”
“That means he needs me listening.”
Adrian climbed the stairs.
The old operating room was lit by a single lamp.
Marcus stood near the far wall.
No weapon visible.
A small recorder rested on a metal table.
Adrian looked at it.
Marcus smiled.
“You were always sentimental underneath.”
“Play it.”
“Sit.”
“Play it.”
Marcus studied him.
Then pressed the button.
Evelyn’s voice returned.
“Adrian.”
She sounded tired.
“I don’t know if anyone will give you this.”
Adrian closed his eyes.
“If Lily is alive, find her.”
“If she isn’t…”
Evelyn paused.
Then started again.
“If she isn’t, don’t disappear with her.”
“Do you hear me?”
“Do not bury yourself beside us.”
Adrian’s eyes filled.
Marcus watched him.
Evelyn continued.
“You once told me men in your world only understand fear.”
“I told you that was because nobody had ever taught them anything else.”
“Teach Lily something else.”
The recording ended.
Adrian opened his eyes.
Marcus was smiling.
“You kept that.”
Marcus shrugged.
“I thought it might be useful.”
“You listened to her dying words.”
“Several times.”
Something violent moved inside Adrian.
Marcus saw it.
He wanted it.
He took a step closer.
“Go ahead.”
“There’s the man I know.”
“Hit me.”
“Kill me.”
“Prove Evelyn wasted her time.”
Adrian stared at him.
Then slowly stepped backward.
Marcus’s smile faded.
“No.”
Adrian’s voice was almost gentle.
“You don’t get to use her again.”
Marcus’s eyes hardened.
“You think walking away makes you better?”
“No.”
“It makes me free.”
Marcus reached for his coat.
Thomas entered from the side door.
Elias appeared behind him.
Marcus stopped.
Adrian picked up the recorder.
“You’re coming with me.”
Marcus laughed.
“You still think this ends in court.”
“It doesn’t.”
“No?”
Marcus leaned toward him.
“You forgot one thing.”
“What?”
Marcus smiled.
“Grace Miller never told you where she worked before she became a maid.”
Adrian frowned.
Marcus continued.
“Ask her.”
“Ask Grace who her husband was.”
Then an explosion shook the rear of the clinic.
Smoke filled the corridor.
Marcus disappeared through the emergency exit.
By the time Adrian reached the private road, he was gone.
Thomas coughed beside him.
“What was he talking about?”
Adrian already had his phone out.
Grace answered.
“Adrian?”
“Who was your husband?”
Silence.
Adrian’s face changed.
“Grace.”
She whispered, “His name was Daniel.”
“Daniel what?”
Another silence.
Then Grace answered.
“Daniel Reed.”
Adrian looked toward the empty road.
May you like
Marcus Reed had a younger brother.
A brother Adrian had believed died ten years ago.
