Chapter 6 - The QuarryAt 1:45 A.M., Stone stood at the quarry alone.
He had told the other riders to stay hidden.
Mara wanted to come.
He refused.
Clara and Noah were inside the clubhouse.
Safe.
Or as safe as anyone could be.
The quarry was abandoned.
Moonlight reflected off standing water.
Stone waited beside the red X marked on Daniel’s map.
A voice came from behind him.
“You should have brought the girl.”
Stone turned.
Victor Hale stood near the old machinery shed.
“You know I’m not stupid.”
Victor smiled.
“No. That's why you're dangerous.”
“Where's the white-glove woman?”
Victor's smile disappeared.
“You don't get to say her name.”
“Then give me yours.”
Silence.
Finally Victor said:
“Evelyn Voss.”
Stone recognized the surname.
“Elias's daughter.”
“Yes.”
“Where's Noah?”
Victor reached inside his jacket.
Stone raised his weapon.
Victor pulled out a photograph.
Noah and Clara asleep inside the clubhouse.
Stone’s face changed.
“Camera?”
“More than one.”
Victor dropped the photograph.
“Your clubhouse has been compromised for hours.”
Stone felt a chill.
“Why tell me?”
“Because Evelyn is done waiting.”
A vehicle rolled behind Victor.
Black.
No plates.
Two men stepped out.
Then Evelyn Voss appeared.
White gloves.
Black coat.
Calm eyes.
She looked nothing like the monster Stone had imagined.
That made her worse.
“Derek Mercer.”
Stone aimed at her.
“Stay where you are.”
Evelyn smiled.
“You won't shoot.”
“Try me.”
“I know you.”
“I don't know you.”
“I know your father.”
Stone’s eyes narrowed.
Evelyn walked closer.
“Samuel Mercer.”
The name hit like a hammer.
Stone had not heard it spoken in years.
“What about him?”
“He kept records.”
Stone said nothing.
“He stole something from my father.”
“What?”
“A list.”
The same word Mara had used.
Evelyn looked at the quarry.
“Your father was going to expose Elias.”
“Was?”
“He never did.”
Stone clenched his jaw.
“You killed him.”
“No.”
Evelyn's voice stayed calm.
“Your father disappeared because he made a deal.”
Stone froze.
“What deal?”
“He traded the list for your life.”
The quarry became silent.
Stone could barely breathe.
“My father died because of Elias.”
“No.”
Evelyn looked directly at him.
“Your father saved you.”
A car engine roared in the distance.
Stone heard it.
A second vehicle.
Then a third.
The riders were coming anyway.
Evelyn sighed.
“You never understood your father.”
She turned.
“Neither did Daniel Whitmore.”
Stone raised his weapon again.
“Where is Daniel?”
Evelyn stopped.
Then looked over her shoulder.
“Closer than you think.”
The black SUV doors opened.
A man stepped out.
Older.
Bearded.
Thin.
Stone stared.
Mara had shown him a photograph of Daniel.
It was him.
Alive.
Daniel Whitmore looked directly at Stone.
May you like
Then he said:
“Take me to my children.”
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