Chapter 11 - THE SHOT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHINGVictor tackled Chloe.
The bullet shattered the window behind them.
Marcus returned fire.
Richard disappeared from the rooftop.
Everyone thought he had shot at Chloe.
Until Victor found the bullet.
It wasn't ordinary.
A small capsule was embedded inside it.
Amelia picked it up.
Her face changed.
“That's not a bullet.”
“What is it?”
“A tracker.”
Victor stared.
“Why would Richard shoot a tracker?”
Amelia looked horrified.
“Because he wants us to believe he betrayed us.”
Victor understood.
Richard had planned the entire thing.
But was he protecting them?
Or manipulating them?
The boardroom doors suddenly opened.
Police stormed in.
Victor raised his hands.
A detective shouted:
“Victor Blackwood, you're under arrest.”
Victor stared.
“For what?”
The detective held up a tablet.
“You're accused of fraud, money laundering, and illegal surveillance.”
Victor laughed bitterly.
“Who filed the charges?”
The detective looked uncomfortable.
“The federal task force.”
Amelia whispered:
“They already own the system.”
Victor was arrested.
Nora and Chloe escaped through a service corridor.
Marcus followed.
Amelia disappeared.
Victor was taken to the police station.
Hours later, he sat alone in an interrogation room.
A detective entered.
“You're finished.”
Victor stared.
“Who are you?”
The detective removed his badge.
Then removed his tie.
A Blackwood ring appeared on his finger.
Victor froze.
“You're one of them.”
The detective smiled.
“Everyone is.”
Victor leaned back.
“What do you want?”
“The location of the original recording.”
“What recording?”
“The one Amelia hid.”
Victor laughed.
“I don't know.”
The detective slammed his hands on the table.
“You do.”
Victor stared at him.
Then the door opened.
Richard entered.
The detective stood.
“You said he didn't know.”
Richard looked at Victor.
“He doesn't.”
The detective frowned.
Richard handed him a folder.
“The girl does.”
Victor's heart stopped.
“Where is Chloe?”
Richard looked directly at him.
“Safe.”
“Where?”
Richard whispered:
“Not for long.”
He placed another paper on the table.
A photograph.
Chloe was sleeping.
An unknown man stood beside her.
Victor's blood turned cold.
The photograph had been taken ten minutes earlier.
Inside a safe house.
The supposedly secure location.
Richard whispered:
“They have her.”
Victor stood.
“Get me out.”
Richard shook his head.
“Not yet.”
“Why?”
“Because the only way to save your granddaughter is to let them believe you betrayed her.”
Victor stared.
Richard leaned closer.
“And when they come for you…”
He smiled.
“You'll finally meet the man who started this.”
Victor asked:
“Who?”
May you like
Richard answered:
“Your father.”
