Chapter 5 - The ProposalThe question sat between them.
Callum did not answer.
Sadie’s hands began to shake.
“You proposed to my sister?”
“It was not what you think.”
“That is exactly what people say when it is exactly what I think.”
Callum looked away.
“How long?”
“Three months.”
Sadie laughed bitterly.
“Three months before she died?”
“Yes.”
“You were engaged.”
“No.”
“You just said…”
“I asked her to leave with me.”
Sadie stared.
“Why?”
“Because I knew the organization was collapsing.”
“And she agreed?”
“She wanted to.”
“Then why didn’t she?”
Callum’s voice dropped.
“Because someone had taken you.”
Sadie froze.
“What?”
“Not physically.”
He looked at her.
“They threatened to hurt you.”
“Who?”
“Vincent Hale.”
“Why me?”
“Because Emma was the only person in the organization he could not control.”
Callum reached into the glove compartment.
He removed an old envelope.
The paper had yellowed with age.
He handed it to Sadie.
She opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
Emma and Callum stood outside a small church.
Emma was smiling.
Callum looked younger.
Almost happy.
Sadie turned the photograph over.
On the back was handwriting.
One day, Sadie will know the truth.
Sadie’s eyes burned.
“She wrote this?”
“Yes.”
“She knew.”
“She knew everything was coming.”
Callum took the photograph back.
“That is why I walked away.”
“And she died anyway.”
“Yes.”
Sadie stared at him.
“What did Hale want?”
“The ledger.”
“But you had it.”
“No.”
Callum’s eyes hardened.
“Emma did.”
“Then why did you bury it?”
“Because the ledger contained the names of people who could destroy governments.”
Sadie looked at him.
“Government officials?”
“Judges.”
“Police?”
“Yes.”
“Politicians?”
“Yes.”
“Everyone?”
“Almost.”
She looked down.
“And now somebody wants it.”
“Somebody always wanted it.”
“Then why are they after me?”
Callum did not answer immediately.
Then he said:
“Because you opened the ledger.”
“I only found it.”
“No.”
Callum pointed toward the flash drive.
“You opened something Emma sealed.”
Sadie’s chest tightened.
“The video?”
“Yes.”
“Why would that matter?”
“Because she was waiting for someone from the Miller family to open it.”
Sadie frowned.
“She knew I would?”
“She knew you were the only one left.”
Silence.
“Left?”
Callum hesitated.
“Your mother disappeared six years ago.”
Sadie stared.
“My mother is dead.”
“That is what you were told.”
“No.”
“She was alive the last time I saw her.”
“Where?”
Callum looked at her.
“Prague.”
Sadie felt dizzy.
“My mother is alive?”
“I believe so.”
“You believe?”
“I saw her.”
“When?”
“Two years ago.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because she told me not to.”
Sadie’s eyes filled.
“Everyone lies to me.”
“Not everyone.”
She looked at him.
“You lie beautifully.”
Callum accepted the accusation.
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
A voice spoke.
“Mr. Russo?”
“Yes.”
“You have Sadie.”
Callum’s grip tightened.
“Who is this?”
“You know.”
Callum’s eyes went cold.
“Hale.”
The man laughed.
“Finally.”
Sadie could hear him through the phone.
“Give her to me.”
“No.”
“Then tonight becomes another 2016.”
Callum stood.
“What do you want?”
“The ledger.”
“Gone.”
“Then the girl dies.”
Sadie stepped forward.
“Put him on speaker.”
Callum did.
“Hale,” she said.
Silence.
Then laughter.
“You sound exactly like your sister.”
Sadie’s voice trembled.
“What did you do to her?”
“I gave her a choice.”
“What choice?”
“Tell Callum where the ledger was, or let you die.”
Sadie looked at Callum.
“You lied.”
Hale continued.
“She chose you.”
Sadie’s breath caught.
Callum closed his eyes.
Hale whispered:
“She always chose you.”
The line went dead.
A second later, every light in the garage came on.
A red laser appeared on Sadie’s chest.
Sniper.
Callum moved instantly.
He threw himself over her.
The first bullet shattered the windshield.
The second tore through the passenger door.
Callum dragged Sadie beneath the dashboard.
“Stay down.”
“Callum…”
“You have to trust me.”
A third shot.
Silence.
Callum looked up.
“The shooter is gone.”
Sadie stared at him.
Then she noticed blood on his shirt.
“You’re hit.”
He looked down.
A dark stain spread beneath his ribs.
He smiled faintly.
“Apparently.”
“Apparently?”
“It could be worse.”
“How?”
May you like
He looked at her.
“Could have been you.”
