Chapter 11 - TWO SISTERS
The abandoned Bennett textile factory stood near the Wisconsin border.
Charles had used it for illegal trust transactions years earlier.
Police surrounded the property.
Daniel insisted on going inside.
Marcus refused.
Ruth insisted too.
Marcus refused harder.
Then Charles called.
“I want Daniel.”
Everyone froze.
Charles knew.
Daniel took the phone.
“Hello, Charles.”
Silence.
Then Charles laughed.
“I knew you were too stubborn to die.”
“Let Lucy go.”
“Bring the ledger.”
“I will.”
“One person.”
“Me.”
Charles agreed.
Daniel entered the factory wearing a wire.
Police listened outside.
Lucy sat tied to a chair beneath a hanging light.
Charles stood behind her.
Daniel placed the ledger on a table.
“Release her.”
Charles smiled.
“You really think this is about money?”
“It always was.”
“No.”
Charles looked at Lucy.
“It became about survival.”
He raised a gun.
Daniel stepped forward.
“Charles.”
“Stop.”
Lucy cried.
Daniel stopped.
Charles picked up the ledger.
Then a voice came from behind the machinery.
“Put the gun down.”
Ruth emerged.
Daniel stared.
“What are you doing?”
“Saving my niece.”
Charles laughed.
“You Bennetts never learned to follow instructions.”
Ruth looked at Lucy.
“It’s okay.”
Lucy stared at her.
Then another voice echoed through the factory.
“Ruth?”
Everyone froze.
Emma stepped from behind a steel column.
Ruth’s heart stopped.
“Emma?”
Patricia ran after her.
“She slipped away from the police car!”
Charles stared at both girls.
For the first time, the twins saw each other.
Emma.
Lucy.
Same eyes.
Same face.
Same terrified expression.
Lucy whispered,
“You look like me.”
Emma began crying.
“You’re my sister.”
May you like
Charles raised the gun.
And fired.
