Chapter 10 - THE DOCTORMason attacked first.
He grabbed Mercer’s wrist.
The gun fired.
The bullet shattered the window.
Mercer fought back with surprising strength.
Victor tackled him.
My mother screamed.
I pulled her behind the bed.
The corridor filled with footsteps.
Security.
Police.
Mercer escaped through a service door.
But he left something behind.
A syringe.
Mason picked it up.
“Don’t touch that.”
Agent Blake arrived seconds later.
She took the syringe.
Her face hardened.
“What is it?”
“Something designed to erase memory.”
I stared at her.
“You’re joking.”
“No.”
She examined the label.
“This compound has been used in three of our missing-person cases.”
Mason looked toward my mother.
“Did they use it on you?”
Elaine shook her head.
“They tried.”
“Who?”
She looked at me.
“Julian’s mother.”
My head snapped up.
“Julian’s mother is alive?”
Elaine nodded.
“She has been running the organization since his father died.”
“Where?”
“She owns Black Compass.”
The company my husband had built.
Or inherited.
Or stolen.
Suddenly Julian’s entire life made sense.
Not a husband.
Not a businessman.
An heir.
A weapon.
Agent Blake’s phone rang.
She answered.
Then put it on speaker.
Julian’s voice filled the room.
“Valerie.”
My blood ran cold.
“You’re under arrest,” Blake said.
Julian laughed.
“I know.”
“Who gave you access to this line?”
“I have access to everything.”
“Where are you?”
“At Sterling.”
“That’s impossible.”
“No.”
His voice became softer.
“I told you before. You are the key.”
He continued.
“Bring the black ledger.”
Blake said, “You’re finished.”
“No.”
A pause.
“I’m the only one who can keep Valerie alive.”
I stepped toward the phone.
“What do you want?”
“I want the ledger opened.”
“Why?”
“Because there’s a page inside that only you can read.”
“What page?”
“Page 119.”
The line went dead.
Mason grabbed the ledger.
He opened it.
Page 119 looked blank.
Completely blank.
Then I noticed something.
Tiny letters.
Invisible ink.
I held it beneath the hospital light.
Words slowly appeared.
THE TRUE HEIR MUST SACRIFICE ONE BLOOD RELATIVE.
Mason stared at me.
“What does that mean?”
I looked at the words.
Then a second line appeared.
CHOOSE BEFORE MIDNIGHT.
My phone vibrated.
A message from Julian.
One photograph.
Chloe lying unconscious in a hospital bed.
May you like
And underneath it:
YOUR SISTER OR YOUR BROTHER.
