Chapter 7 - Everett wanted to break something.Instead, he asked one question.
“Why?”
Dr. Voss lowered her eyes.
“Because Lily isn't only a witness.”
Claire frowned.
“What is she?”
“The reason Victor never went to prison.”
Everett stared.
Dr. Voss continued.
“Six years ago Lily discovered the names of everyone involved.”
Police officers.
Judges.
Doctors.
Bankers.
Truck companies.
She recorded everything.
But before she could expose them, she disappeared.”
Everett's voice was barely audible.
“And Richard found her.”
“Yes.”
“He kept her alive because she had the evidence.”
Dr. Voss nodded.
“Where is the evidence?”
Dr. Voss looked at Junie.
“Junie.”
Everett's eyes narrowed.
“What about her?”
“She carries the key.”
Claire shook her head.
“She doesn't know anything.”
“She doesn't have to.”
Dr. Voss pointed toward the silver bear necklace.
“The bear.”
Everett pulled the necklace from Junie's neck.
The silver charm looked ordinary.
He examined it.
Twisted the tiny head.
Nothing.
Then Junie reached for it.
“No.”
She pressed the bear's belly.
A tiny compartment opened.
Inside was a microSD card.
Everett stared.
Claire whispered:
“Lily hid it in her necklace.”
Dr. Voss nodded.
“She knew Victor would search the house.”
Everett looked at the card.
“We need a computer.”
Price spoke.
“I know someone.”
They left the church through the rear entrance.
An hour later they reached a farmhouse.
Inside was an old computer setup.
Everett inserted the card.
One video appeared.
Lily.
She sat in front of a camera.
Her face was bruised.
Her hair was shorter.
But she was alive.
Everett couldn't breathe.
“Daddy.”
That single word shattered him.
Lily looked directly into the camera.
“If you're watching this…”
She paused.
“I failed.”
Everett covered his mouth.
Lily continued.
“Junie is alive.”
Claire started crying.
“And she's safer with Claire than she ever could have been with me.”
Lily swallowed.
“I know you may hate me.”
Everett shook his head.
“I don't.”
On the screen, Lily continued.
“Richard will tell you I'm dead.”
She looked directly into the camera.
“Don't believe him.”
The screen suddenly changed.
A list of names appeared.
Then bank accounts.
Then photographs.
Then videos.
Evidence.
Enough to destroy them all.
Everett stared.
“How do we release this?”
Price looked at the screen.
“We send it to every major news network.”
Claire shook her head.
“Richard will kill Lily.”
Everett's eyes remained on the screen.
“We don't release it yet.”
Everyone looked at him.
“We find Lily.”
He stood.
“And then we burn their entire empire down.”
Suddenly the computer screen flickered.
A new message appeared.
HELLO, EVERETT.
Everyone froze.
Then another line appeared.
I KNOW YOU HAVE THE CARD.
And finally:
BRING JUNIE TO THE OLD MILL BEFORE MIDNIGHT.
Claire whispered:
“It's a trap.”
Everett stared at the screen.
Then a video began playing.
Lily was sitting in a chair.
A man stood behind her.
Victor.
Everett watched Lily's terrified face.
Victor leaned toward the camera.
“If you want her alive…”
May you like
He smiled.
“Bring the bear.”
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