Chapter 9 - THE EXCHANGE
Richard copied every Haven file onto an encrypted drive.
Brooks protested.
“You cannot meet a kidnapper alone.”
“I’m not planning to.”
Arthur had underestimated one thing.
Richard had spent twenty years negotiating with men who thought power made them untouchable.
He knew arrogance.
And Arthur Sterling had built an empire out of it.
The meeting point was an abandoned Sterling textile factory.
Midnight.
Richard arrived carrying the drive.
Brooks’s team stayed beyond the perimeter.
Inside, Sophie sat in a chair.
Not tied.
But two men stood nearby.
Arthur emerged from the shadows.
Older.
Thinner.
Alive.
Richard stared at the father he had mourned.
“You let me bury you.”
Arthur smiled.
“It was necessary.”
“You destroyed our family.”
“I built our family.”
“You kidnapped my daughter.”
“I protected our legacy.”
Sophie cried softly.
“Daddy.”
Richard looked at her.
“I’m right here.”
Arthur extended his hand.
“The drive.”
“Caroline first.”
“She’s alive.”
“Show me.”
Arthur nodded toward a side door.
Caroline stepped out.
Richard forgot how to breathe.
She looked older.
Exhausted.
But alive.
Their eyes met.
“Richard.”
He crossed half the room before one of Arthur’s men raised a weapon.
Richard stopped.
Caroline whispered, “I’m sorry.”
“You’re alive.”
“I had no choice.”
“You had three years.”
Arthur interrupted.
“Touching.”
Richard handed him the drive.
Arthur smiled.
“Now we can finally end this.”
Richard looked at Sophie.
“You have what you wanted. Give me my daughter.”
Arthur tilted his head.
“No.”
Richard’s expression hardened.
“That wasn’t the deal.”
“You misunderstood the deal.”
Arthur walked behind Sophie and placed both hands on her shoulders.
“She stays with me.”
Richard stepped forward.
Arthur’s men raised their weapons.
Caroline shouted, “Richard, stop!”
Arthur smiled.
“The company needs a Sterling heir I can shape properly.”
Richard stared at him.
Then slowly smiled.
Arthur frowned.
“What?”
Richard said, “You really should have checked the drive before bringing me here.”
Arthur looked down.
May you like
The device in his hand began blinking.
And every file inside Project Haven was being uploaded to federal investigators.
