Chapter 16 - THE BETRAYAL OF THE MAN WHO RAISED HIM|
Graham stared at the locked door.
Walter's face appeared through the narrow glass panel.
"I never wanted this to happen."
Graham stepped forward.
"Open the door."
Walter shook his head.
"You don't understand what your father offered me."
"Money?"
"Protection."
"For whom?"
Walter looked away.
"My daughter."
Tabitha approached the door.
"You're helping the man who murdered our mother?"
Walter's expression crumbled.
"I was trying to protect my family."
"By sacrificing ours?"
He had no answer.
Then the lights inside the vault went out.
Graham immediately pulled Tabitha and Catherine behind a metal cabinet.
A faint hissing sound came from the ventilation system.
"Gas," he whispered.
He covered his mouth with his sleeve.
The sisters began coughing.
Graham searched for another exit.
There was a narrow maintenance hatch behind the filing cabinets.
He forced it open.
"Go!"
Tabitha helped Catherine through first.
Graham followed.
They emerged into an old storage corridor.
Security officers were waiting at the far end.
The sisters were rushed upstairs.
Graham ordered the vault sealed and called emergency services.
But Walter had disappeared.
The only evidence left behind was a small envelope.
Inside was a photograph of a little girl.
Walter's daughter.
And a note from Victor.
YOUR FAMILY IS STILL ALIVE BECAUSE I ALLOW IT.
Graham realized Walter had not been acting out of greed.
Victor had been threatening his daughter.
But that did not excuse what he had done.
Hours later, a call came from an unknown number.
Walter was on the line.
"Mr. Costa."
"Where are you?"
"I have the second ledger."
"Bring it to me."
"I can't."
Graham's voice became dangerous.
"Why?"
"Because your father has my daughter."
The line went silent.
Then Walter whispered:
"Meet me at the old waterfront warehouse. Alone."
Graham agreed.
Tabitha heard the conversation.
"You're not going alone."
"I don't want you near Victor."
"Then stop trying to decide everything for me."
Graham looked at her.
For the first time, he realized how often his instinct to protect people had become another form of control.
He nodded.
"Stay behind my security team."
At the warehouse, Walter appeared carrying a briefcase.
His hands were trembling.
"I brought the ledger."
Graham approached.
"Where is your daughter?"
Walter pointed toward a vehicle.
Inside sat a young woman with her hands tied.
Before Graham could move, the warehouse lights came on.
Victor stood on the upper platform.
Beside him was Simon Hale.
And behind them stood several armed men.
Victor smiled.
"Thank you for bringing everyone together."
Walter suddenly turned toward Graham.
"I'm sorry."
He handed him the briefcase.
Then he stepped between Graham and Victor.
A gunshot rang out.
Walter fell.
Tabitha screamed.
Graham rushed toward the wounded attorney.
But Walter grabbed his sleeve.
"Don't let him destroy the records," he whispered.
Then he pressed a small flash drive into Graham's hand.
"Your father's real secret is on this."
His eyes closed.
Graham looked up.
May you like
Victor was already walking toward them.
"Now," he said, "let's finish what your mother started."
