Chapter 12 - The Woman in the PhotographAdrian stared at the photograph until the room blurred.
Emma's grandmother.
Sophia's mother.
The woman he had always believed was a harmless elderly woman living quietly outside the city.
The woman Sophia said needed medicine.
The woman the ten thousand dollars could have helped.
That connection was impossible.
Unless everything Adrian knew had been incomplete.
Vincent watched him.
“Your father met her before you were born.”
“Why?”
“She was part of the accounting network.”
Adrian looked at Thomas.
“Is this true?”
Thomas nodded.
“Your father loved her.”
“And Sophia?”
“Was her daughter.”
Adrian turned toward Vincent.
“You're saying my father had a child before me?”
“No.”
Vincent smiled.
“After you.”
The room went silent.
Adrian felt the ground disappear.
“That's impossible.”
“Your father disappeared twenty-one years ago.”
“Yes.”
“He didn't die.”
“Yes.”
“He went underground.”
“Yes.”
“And he had another family.”
Adrian's eyes moved to Emma.
His father's bloodline was connected to Sophia.
He suddenly understood why Vincent had watched the diner.
Why the ledger mattered.
Why Emma mattered.
The child was not merely an innocent witness.
She was leverage.
Vincent raised a hand.
“Bring her.”
The men moved.
Adrian stepped forward.
“Stop.”
Vincent smiled.
“You want the truth?”
“Yes.”
“Then take it.”
He tossed a key toward Adrian.
It landed on the floor.
“Locker 902.”
Adrian frowned.
“Where?”
“Grand Central.”
“What is inside?”
“Your father's final confession.”
Vincent turned.
“Bring it to me.”
“And Emma?”
“Alive.”
Adrian looked at the key.
“You expect me to trust you?”
“No.”
Vincent smiled.
“I expect you to have no choice.”
The lights went out.
When they came back on, Emma was gone.
Graham was gone.
Vincent was gone.
Only Thomas remained.
Adrian pointed his gun at him.
“Tell me everything.”
Thomas looked exhausted.
“I can't.”
“You just watched them take a six-year-old.”
“I know.”
“Then start talking.”
Thomas finally broke.
“Your father is alive.”
Adrian froze.
“Where?”
Thomas whispered:
“He's the man who has been watching the diner.”
“The man with the silver ring?”
Thomas nodded.
Adrian's face went cold.
“Graham?”
“No.”
“Then who?”
May you like
Thomas looked toward the empty stage.
“Your father.”
