Chapter 14 - THE HEIRShawn stared at the screen.
“No.”
Thomas stepped closer.
“You're the only one authorized to control it.”
“I'll destroy it.”
“You can't.”
“Watch me.”
Thomas laughed.
“You think this system is money?”
He pointed to the archive.
“It's politicians. Judges. police. corporations. Media.”
Shawn looked at the thousands of files.
“What do you want me to do?”
“Take control.”
“And let you walk away?”
“Yes.”
“No.”
Thomas sighed.
“You really are your grandfather's grandson.”
Shawn glanced at Don.
“Dad.”
Don looked at him.
“I'm sorry.”
“For what?”
“I knew Thomas was alive.”
Shawn froze.
“How long?”
“Four years.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I couldn't.”
Thomas interrupted.
“Because he was afraid.”
Don looked at Thomas.
“You killed everyone who tried to expose you.”
“No.”
Thomas smiled.
“I gave them choices.”
Shawn looked toward the little girl.
“Let her go.”
Thomas nodded.
“Brenda?”
She stood.
“Take your daughter.”
Brenda ran to the child.
She hugged her tightly.
Thomas didn't stop them.
Shawn narrowed his eyes.
“You're letting them go?”
“I only need you.”
“Why?”
Thomas looked at the archive.
“Because Kane destroyed the first generation.”
Shawn understood.
“Kane was disposable.”
“Yes.”
“My father?”
“Useful.”
“Brenda?”
“Useful.”
“Me?”
Thomas smiled.
“Essential.”
Shawn stepped toward the computer.
The system recognized him.
A message appeared.
TRANSFER CONTROL?
Two buttons.
YES.
NO.
Thomas pointed the gun.
“Choose.”
Shawn looked at the screen.
Then at the archive.
Then at Thomas.
He pressed YES.
The system began transferring.
Thomas smiled.
“Good.”
Shawn whispered:
“It's done.”
Thomas lowered the gun.
Then Shawn hit another key.
A hidden command appeared.
EMERGENCY DISCLOSURE PROTOCOL.
Thomas froze.
“What did you do?”
“All files released.”
The archive began uploading.
Every name.
Every payment.
Every recording.
Every murder.
Every connection.
Thomas lunged toward him.
Shawn stepped back.
The chapel doors exploded open.
Federal agents stormed inside.
This time, there were no corrupt officers.
The archive had already been transmitted to hundreds of journalists, courts, and investigators.
Thomas shouted:
“You idiot!”
Shawn stared at him.
“You built your empire on secrets.”
Thomas raised his gun.
Don stepped between them.
Thomas fired.
Don fell.
“Dad!”
Shawn caught him.
Blood spread across his shirt.
Thomas tried to run.
Evelyn stepped into his path.
“You're done.”
Thomas smiled.
“You think this ends here?”
Evelyn stared at him.
“No.”
She pointed toward the archive.
“This is only the beginning.”
Federal agents surrounded Thomas.
He dropped the weapon.
For the first time in decades, he looked afraid.
As they dragged him away, he turned toward Shawn.
“There's one final secret.”
Shawn stared.
Thomas smiled.
“Your mother knows.”
Shawn turned to Maria.
She had arrived with the agents.
Her face was pale.
“What secret?”
Maria looked at him.
Then at Evelyn.
Then at Don.
And whispered:
“You had another brother.”
Shawn froze.
“Another brother?”
Maria nodded.
“He disappeared the night you were born.”
“Where is he?”
She pointed toward Thomas.
“He is the reason Kane wanted you dead.”
May you like
Thomas smiled.
Then the doors closed behind him.
