Chapter 11 - THE TRUTH ABOUT MY MOTHERThe gun pointed at me.
Alexander moved instantly.
He knocked Richard's arm aside.
The shot struck the ceiling.
Flynn grabbed me.
Selina tackled Richard.
Chaos exploded.
Then Richard disappeared through the kitchen.
We chased him.
He vanished into a service tunnel.
Alexander stopped.
"Don't."
Flynn frowned.
"Why?"
"He wanted us to follow."
I stared at him.
"You knew?"
"I suspected."
"Then why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I needed proof."
We returned to the table.
Alexander picked up the recorder.
"There was another file."
He pressed play.
My father's voice returned.
"Richard is not working for the Black Ledger."
I stared.
"What?"
The recording continued.
"He believes Eleanor betrayed me."
Richard's voice appeared.
"She did."
My father answered:
"No. She betrayed the organization."
I froze.
Eleanor.
My mother.
She had infiltrated the Black Ledger.
My father continued.
"They believe Eleanor stole the Protocol."
Richard asked:
"Did she?"
My father laughed.
"No."
A pause.
"She destroyed it."
I stared.
"What?"
The recording continued.
"Then she rebuilt it."
Richard's voice dropped.
"As a weapon?"
"As a lock."
The recording ended.
Alexander looked at me.
"Your mother didn't create a financial weapon."
"Then what did she create?"
"A lock that can shut the entire Black Ledger out of the global financial system."
I felt cold.
"She can destroy them."
"Yes."
"Then why haven't they stopped her?"
"Because they haven't found her."
I looked at the photograph of my mother.
"Where is she?"
Alexander shook his head.
"That's the problem."
My phone rang.
This time the number was displayed.
MOM
My hands froze.
I answered.
"Hello?"
A woman's voice whispered:
"Mabel."
My knees almost gave out.
"Mom?"
"Listen carefully."
I couldn't speak.
"I don't have much time."
"Where are you?"
"Don't ask."
"Why did you let me believe you were dead?"
"Because I wanted you to live."
I started crying.
"Why didn't you come back?"
"Because they would have followed me."
"Who?"
"The Black Ledger."
"Did Dad know?"
"Yes."
"Did Flynn know?"
A pause.
"Yes."
I looked at Flynn.
He lowered his eyes.
My mother's voice continued.
"Flynn protected you."
"But he betrayed me."
"I know."
"Why did you let him?"
"Because I had no choice."
I wiped my eyes.
"Mom, where is Alexander?"
Silence.
Then:
"You found him."
"Yes."
"Don't trust him."
My heart stopped.
I looked at Alexander.
He was watching me.
My mother continued.
"Your brother is not the man you think he is."
The line crackled.
"Mom, what happened to him?"
"He was raised by them."
I froze.
"Who?"
"The Black Ledger."
The phone went silent.
Then one final sentence came through.
"Alexander is their weapon."
The call ended.
I looked at my brother.
He was smiling.
"She finally called you."
My blood ran cold.
"How did you know?"
Alexander shrugged.
"Because I was listening."
He touched his ear.
A tiny device was hidden there.
My heart dropped.
"You're listening to my calls?"
"Of course."
"Why?"
Alexander's smile disappeared.
"Because your mother is lying to you."
He reached into his coat.
Pulled out another folder.
And handed me a photograph.
It was my mother.
Standing beside Victor Hale.
And between them was Alexander.
The photograph had been taken three years ago.
The exact year my father died.
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On the back was a handwritten note.
PROJECT HEIR: SUCCESSFUL.
