Chapter 18 - THE LAST PERFORMANCE|
Dominic raised his hands slowly.
Marcus and Daniel stood beside him, surrounded by armed men. The theater's main doors were locked, and the narrow maintenance corridor had been blocked.
Anthony stepped down from the stage.
“Welcome home, nephew.”
Dominic's gaze moved from his uncle to Robert, then to Victor.
“So this is the family reunion.”
Victor smiled.
“You've always had a talent for making jokes when you're frightened.”
“I'm not frightened.”
Anthony laughed.
“Your father said the same thing before he begged me to spare you.”
Dominic's expression didn't change.
“Did he beg?”
Anthony's smile faded.
For a moment, the room was silent.
Then Anthony struck him across the face.
Dominic stumbled but remained standing.
“Don't speak about your father as if you knew him.”
Anthony leaned closer.
“I knew him better than you ever did.”
He gestured toward the stage.
“Bring the key.”
Dominic shook his head.
“I don't have it.”
Anthony turned toward Robert.
“Search him.”
Robert hesitated.
It was a small pause, but Dominic saw it.
The attorney was afraid.
Not of Dominic.
Of Anthony.
One of the guards searched Dominic's coat and pockets, finding nothing.
Anthony's expression darkened.
“Where is it?”
“You kidnapped a five-year-old to get it. You nearly killed my wife. You destroyed my family. And you still think I'll hand you the one thing that can expose you?”
Anthony raised his pistol.
“Your family is already destroyed.”
A voice came from the back of the theater.
“No. It isn't.”
Emily stood in the doorway.
She was pale and still recovering from her wound, but she held herself upright. Beside her stood the federal investigator and a team of armed officers.
Anthony spun around.
Victor rose from his seat.
Robert closed his eyes.
Marcus smiled faintly.
Dominic stared at Emily.
“You were supposed to stay at the clinic.”
Emily gave him a tired look.
“You were supposed to stop trying to save everyone by yourself.”
The investigator stepped forward.
“Anthony Vitale, Victor Sloane, Robert Hale. Lower your weapons and place your hands where we can see them.”
Anthony laughed.
“You think a badge changes anything?”
“No,” the investigator replied. “But the warrants do.”
Several officers moved into the aisles.
Victor attempted to slip through a side exit, only to find it blocked by two agents.
Anthony grabbed Margaret and pulled her in front of him.
“Back away!”
The officers stopped.
Dominic took one step forward.
“Let her go.”
Anthony pressed the gun against Margaret's head.
“Give me the key.”
Dominic looked at his uncle.
“You're running out of people to hide behind.”
Anthony's face twisted.
“You think this is about money? Your father gave me everything, then took it away when he decided he wanted to play the hero. I built the Circle from nothing. I kept this family alive.”
“You used children as leverage.”
“I used what worked.”
“You killed Emily's chance to raise her daughter.”
Anthony's eyes flashed.
“Emily chose to interfere.”
Dominic felt something inside him settle into absolute clarity.
There would be no bargain that could make Anthony a safe man. No apology that could repair what he had done.
He looked toward Emily.
She gave him a small nod.
Then she stepped forward.
“Anthony, you don't have the key because you never understood what it was for.”
Anthony's attention shifted.
Emily continued.
“The vault was never the real secret. The key was only a way to identify the people who still cared enough to protect the truth.”
Anthony's grip tightened.
“Shut up.”
Emily lifted her chin.
“Your brother tried to save you. You repaid him by destroying everyone he loved.”
Anthony's face contorted.
He shoved Margaret aside and raised his gun toward Emily.
Dominic moved.
A shot rang through the theater.
The bullet struck the stage railing.
Marcus tackled Anthony from the side while officers rushed forward. The gun skidded across the floor.
Within seconds, Anthony was restrained.
Victor was arrested beside the exit.
Robert lowered himself into a seat, his face buried in his hands.
Dominic rushed to Emily.
“Are you hurt?”
She shook her head.
“No.”
He pulled her into his arms.
For a moment, the theater seemed silent around them.
Then Margaret began to cry.
“It's over,” she whispered.
Dominic wanted to believe her.
But as the officers escorted Anthony away, his uncle turned back and smiled.
“You've won the performance, Dominic.”
May you like
He leaned toward him.
“But you still haven't opened the vault.”
