Chapter 9 - The Girl They Were HuntingWhy Julian Needed Me AliveArthur pulled me to the floor.
Gunfire erupted outside.
Glass exploded.
Mom screamed.
Security men returned fire.
I crawled toward my brothers.
One bullet struck the crib.
Owen cried.
Arthur moved like lightning.
He lifted the crib and carried both babies into the hallway.
“Stay behind me!”
Another shot.
Then silence.
The attackers disappeared before police arrived.
Arthur knew this wasn't random.
They wanted everyone to know they could reach us.
Mom was weak but conscious.
She grabbed my hand.
“You need to know everything.”
Arthur stood nearby.
“I agree.”
Mom took a breath.
“When you were born, Daniel discovered you were not Julian's target.”
“What did he want?”
“The Pendleton inheritance.”
I frowned.
“Money?”
“Not just money.”
Mom looked at Arthur.
“Your father created a private trust.”
Arthur's expression changed.
“Thomas.”
She nodded.
“Thomas knew Julian was trying to take control of the family.”
“So?”
“So Thomas secretly changed the inheritance.”
I stared.
“What does that have to do with me?”
Mom squeezed my hand.
“The trust named a child as the final beneficiary.”
Arthur went silent.
“Which child?”
Mom looked at me.
“You.”
My mouth opened.
“That doesn't make sense.”
“Your father was Thomas's lawyer and closest friend.”
Arthur asked:
“Why would Thomas choose Ivy?”
“Because he believed Arthur would protect her.”
Arthur's face tightened.
“What happened to Thomas?”
“Julian captured him.”
“Where?”
Mom shook her head.
“I don't know.”
“Then how did Daniel know?”
“He didn't.”
Arthur looked confused.
Mom continued:
“Daniel thought Thomas was dead.”
“Was he?”
“No.”
She pointed toward the window.
“That's why Julian keeps searching.”
I looked at the locket.
“What is the key for?”
Mom hesitated.
“Thomas left one final message.”
Arthur's voice hardened.
“Where?”
“The old Chicago Union Station.”
I stared.
“Why there?”
“Because that's where Daniel and Thomas made their first deal.”
Arthur looked at me.
“We're going.”
Mom grabbed his arm.
“No.”
Arthur stopped.
“Julian expects you to go.”
“Exactly.”
“They want Ivy.”
Arthur's eyes hardened.
“Then they'll get me instead.”
Mom shook her head.
“No, Arthur.”
She looked terrified.
“You still don't understand.”
“What?”
“The girl is not merely the beneficiary.”
Arthur stared.
“What else?”
Mom looked at me.
“Julian believes Ivy knows where Thomas hid the evidence.”
“I don't know anything.”
Mom whispered:
“You knew it once.”
My heart stopped.
“What?”
“When you were three, Daniel taught you a game.”
A memory surfaced.
Three cards.
A blue door.
A red book.
A silver key.
I had thought it was imaginary.
Mom continued:
“Thomas hid the location inside your memory.”
Arthur slowly looked at me.
“Why would he do that?”
“Because Julian could torture an adult.”
Her eyes filled with tears.
“But nobody would suspect an eight-year-old child.”
I stared at Arthur.
“I don't remember.”
He knelt.
“You will.”
A loud knock came from the door.
Everyone reached for weapons.
Arthur's lieutenant opened it.
A police officer stood outside.
“Arthur Pendleton?”
Arthur raised his gun.
“Who sent you?”
The officer slowly removed his hat.
Underneath his uniform was a silver snake ring.
He smiled.
May you like
“Julian says hello.”
Then he fired.
Related Stories
