Chapter 10 - The Woman Who SurvivedEleanor walked toward us.
Rain ran down her face.
She looked at Margaret.
Then at me.
“I found the second ledger.”
Vivian's expression changed.
“What?”
Eleanor held up the folder.
“The one your father was looking for.”
Alan stared.
“What does it say?”
Eleanor looked at him.
“Everything.”
She opened the first page.
Names.
Dates.
Payments.
Politicians.
Judges.
Bankers.
Police officers.
Doctors.
And at the bottom of the first page:
Vivian Rook.
The cemetery filled with police.
Vivian was taken into custody.
Alan was arrested for kidnapping, fraud, forgery, and assault.
But he kept smiling.
That frightened me.
Because villains usually stop smiling when they lose.
Alan didn't.
In the interrogation room, he asked to speak to me.
I agreed.
He sat across from me.
His hands were cuffed.
“Congratulations.”
I said nothing.
“You won the ranch.”
“I never wanted to win anything.”
“You always thought I was after your money.”
“Aren't you?”
He laughed.
“No.”
I stared.
“What then?”
He leaned forward.
“I was trying to save your daughter.”
I almost laughed.
“You kidnapped her.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because Vivian planned to kill her.”
I said nothing.
Alan continued.
“You think I wanted Avery?”
“You used her.”
“I did.”
“Then explain.”
He looked down.
“When I met Avery, Vivian told me to marry her.”
“Because of the trust.”
“Yes.”
“But after I learned about Julian, everything changed.”
I stared.
“Why?”
“Because Julian wasn't supposed to survive.”
My blood ran cold.
“Who wanted him dead?”
Alan didn't answer.
“Who?”
He whispered:
“Your own family.”
I sat back.
“My family?”
“Your brother.”
I froze.
“I don't have a brother.”
Alan smiled.
“That's what you were told.”
The room became silent.
He continued.
“Your father's first marriage wasn't with your mother.”
I couldn't breathe.
“He had another child.”
“No.”
“His name was Thomas.”
I stared at the wall.
“You're lying.”
Alan shook his head.
“He owns the company that bought the mineral rights from Vivian.”
“What company?”
“Blackstone Meridian.”
I knew the name.
One of the largest energy firms in the country.
“But why would he want Julian dead?”
“Because if Julian inherits the trust, Thomas loses billions.”
I stood.
“This is insane.”
Alan smiled.
“Ask Margaret.”
I returned to the hallway.
Margaret was there.
I looked at her.
“Did my father have another son?”
She closed her eyes.
“Yes.”
I felt betrayed.
“How long have you known?”
“Twenty-seven years.”
I stepped backward.
“And you never told me?”
“He was given away.”
“Why?”
“Because your father believed the boy was dangerous.”
“Dangerous?”
Margaret nodded.
“He grew up believing the ranch belonged to him.”
My phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
I answered.
A man's voice spoke.
“Hello, little brother.”
I froze.
Thomas.
My brother.
“Where are you?”
A laugh.
“Closer than you think.”
The call ended.
Then every light in the building went out.
Gunfire erupted downstairs.
Police shouted.
The interrogation room door opened.
Alan looked at me.
“Now you understand.”
“Understand what?”
He leaned forward.
“Vivian wasn't the person running this.”
A gunshot shattered the window behind him.
Alan fell from his chair.
I ducked.
Robert's voice echoed through the darkness from the doorway.
“Clifford!”
I turned.
Robert was standing there.
Bleeding.
Alive.
He looked at Alan.
Then at me.
“The real mastermind just escaped.”
“Who?”
May you like
Robert's face was grim.
“Your brother.”
