Chapter 10 - THE DEAD MAN WHO WAS STILL ALIVE
Charles Hale’s funeral had been attended by six hundred people.
Martin had stood beside the coffin.
He had watched it lowered into the ground.
But the man photographed in Switzerland had Charles’s distinctive scar.
Same height.
Same posture.
Same eyes.
The federal investigation moved internationally.
Dental records from Charles’s supposed corpse were requested.
The cemetery was sealed.
Forty-eight hours later, the coffin was exhumed.
Inside was another man.
Scarlett vomited when she heard.
Martin said nothing for nearly an hour.
Lucy finally asked,
“How do you fake your own death?”
Martin stared through the window.
“With enough money.”
The body was identified as a homeless man who had disappeared shortly before Charles’s funeral.
Scarlett whispered,
“He killed someone to fake his death?”
Martin looked empty.
“I don’t know who my father was anymore.”
Lucy replied,
“Maybe you never did.”
Martin nodded.
Authorities discovered Charles had lived under the name Henry Clarke in Switzerland.
He controlled trusts worth hundreds of millions.
And through intermediaries, he had continued influencing Hale Meridian.
Victor had been his representative.
Daniel moved the money.
Melissa handled Rebecca.
Harold handled documents.
The conspiracy was not eighteen years old.
It had lasted decades.
Then Martin received a video call.
Unknown number.
He answered.
Charles Hale appeared on screen.
Older.
Thin.
But alive.
“Hello, son.”
Martin froze.
Scarlett gasped.
Lucy stood beside him.
Charles smiled.
“So Rebecca’s girl finally arrived.”
Martin’s face hardened.
“Her name is Lucy.”
“I know.”
“You killed Rebecca?”
Charles smiled.
“Victor became sloppy.”
“Answer me.”
“Rebecca was always stubborn.”
Lucy stepped into view.
Charles looked at her.
For several seconds he said nothing.
Then he smiled.
“You look like her.”
Lucy’s blood boiled.
“My mother was murdered.”
“Yes.”
Martin shouted,
“You admit it?”
Charles shrugged.
“She had information that could destroy everything.”
Scarlett stepped forward.
“You killed Mom too?”
Charles’s face changed slightly.
“Elaine made unfortunate choices.”
Scarlett started shaking.
Martin grabbed the phone.
“You stay away from my daughters.”
Charles laughed.
“Your daughters?”
He looked at Scarlett.
“One isn’t yours biologically.”
Then at Lucy.
“And the other has spent less than three days knowing your name.”
Martin’s voice became cold.
“They are both mine.”
Scarlett broke down.
Lucy stared at Martin.
Charles’s smile vanished.
“That sentimentality is exactly why you were never strong enough.”
Martin whispered,
“You destroyed my family.”
“No.”
Charles leaned toward the camera.
“I built your empire.”
“You stole Rebecca’s work.”
“I protected it from a pregnant secretary who thought love mattered more than business.”
Lucy stepped toward the screen.
“She was smarter than you.”
Charles smiled.
“Was she?”
“Yes.”
“Then why is she dead?”
Martin slammed his fist on the table.
Lucy did not move.
She looked at Charles.
“Because you were afraid of her.”
His smile faded.
“Men like you always call murder strength when you’re terrified of losing control.”
Charles stared at her.
Lucy continued.
“My mother beat you.”
“Your mother died in a hospital bed.”
“And still left enough evidence to expose you.”
Charles’s jaw tightened.
Lucy smiled for the first time.
“She died knowing you’d eventually lose.”
Charles’s face became cold.
“You inherited her mouth.”
“Good.”
“And her recklessness.”
“Even better.”
Charles looked toward Martin.
“Control your daughter.”
Martin answered,
“I spent eighteen years without her.”
He looked at Lucy.
“I’m not controlling a damn thing.”
Lucy’s eyes stung.
Charles stared at them.
Then sighed.
“You have something that belongs to me.”
Lucy held up the flash drive.
“This?”
“Original patent documentation.”
“No.”
“You have twelve hours.”
“Or what?”
Charles smiled.
Then the camera shifted.
A chair appeared.
Someone was tied to it.
Scarlett screamed.
“Victor?”
Victor Lang sat bruised, gagged, and bleeding.
Martin stared.
Charles said,
“Victor attempted to cooperate with federal authorities.”
Scarlett whispered,
“You kidnapped him?”
Charles smiled.
“Bring me the documents.”
Martin said,
“We don’t care what happens to Victor.”
Victor struggled violently.
Charles laughed.
“I expected that.”
The camera moved again.
Another chair.
Lucy’s heart stopped.
Her best friend, Maya Collins, was tied to it.
Lucy screamed,
“MAYA!”
Maya looked terrified.
Charles said calmly,
May you like
“Twelve hours, Lucy.”
Then the screen went black.
