Chapter 9 - The Black MeridianThey escaped through an underground tunnel beneath the mansion.
Clara, Adrian, and Evelyn emerged nearly a mile away.
Daniel was waiting.
His gun was drawn.
When he saw Adrian, he raised it.
"Step away from Clara."
Adrian did.
Clara looked at Daniel.
"He saved my life."
Daniel didn't lower the weapon.
"Or he brought you here."
Clara noticed something.
"Daniel."
"What?"
"Where's Marcus?"
Daniel hesitated.
"Hospital."
"What happened?"
"He disappeared."
Clara's stomach tightened.
"That wasn't the answer."
Daniel finally said it.
"He's missing."
Clara looked at Adrian.
"You knew."
Adrian shook his head.
"No."
Evelyn suddenly spoke.
"Black Meridian took him."
Clara turned.
"Who are they?"
Evelyn stared at the ground.
"They aren't a company."
"Then what are they?"
"A network."
"How powerful?"
Evelyn looked at her.
"They influence governments."
Clara went still.
"Political?"
"Financial."
Evelyn continued.
"They don't need to own governments. They own the debts."
The realization hit Clara.
Black Meridian could manipulate entire economies by controlling banks, debt markets, and hidden capital.
And her father's company had once been one of their largest financial channels.
Clara looked at Adrian.
"Why was my father involved?"
"He tried to leave."
"And they killed him."
Adrian nodded.
"Yes."
"Who ordered it?"
Adrian didn't answer.
Clara's eyes narrowed.
"Who?"
He whispered.
"Victoria."
The words barely left his mouth.
A gunshot cracked.
Adrian staggered.
Clara screamed.
Daniel fired toward the rooftops.
A sniper vanished into the darkness.
Adrian collapsed.
Clara dropped beside him.
Blood spread across his shirt.
"Adrian."
His eyes opened.
"Don't..."
"What?"
"Trust..."
He coughed.
"Don't trust..."
Then he lost consciousness.
Clara looked at Daniel.
"Was he shot in the chest?"
Daniel examined him.
"Shoulder."
Clara's breathing steadied.
Daniel frowned.
"It was a warning."
A phone rang.
Adrian's.
Clara answered.
Victoria's voice came through.
"Did you enjoy tonight?"
Clara's eyes hardened.
"What do you want?"
"Everything."
"You already have everything."
"No."
Victoria laughed softly.
"I have your marriage."
"I have your company."
"I have your reputation."
"But you have something I need."
Clara's fingers tightened around the phone.
"What?"
"Black Meridian's master key."
Clara froze.
"What key?"
Victoria laughed.
"Your father never told you?"
Silence.
"Of course he didn't."
Victoria's voice became colder.
"Because the key isn't an object."
Clara swallowed.
"What is it?"
A pause.
Then Victoria whispered:
"It's you."
The call ended.
Clara stood frozen.
Daniel looked at her.
"What did she say?"
Clara slowly lowered the phone.
"I think I've finally understood."
"Understood what?"
Clara looked toward the city.
May you like
"My father didn't hide the key."
"He raised it."
