Chapter 10 - Evelyn’s Empire
Price moved first.
“We go in.”
Brooks grabbed him.
“We don’t know positions.”
“She’s in there with two armed men.”
“And Elena is between them.”
Price stared at the dead audio monitor.
“Then every second matters.”
Inside the church, Evelyn held the broken wire.
“You disappoint me, Elena.”
“Get in line.”
Evelyn smiled.
Even Harrison almost admired that.
“You know what your problem is?” Evelyn asked.
“I survive things?”
“You believe facts matter.”
“They usually do.”
“No. People matter. More specifically, which people are willing to stand behind those facts.”
She pointed toward Harrison.
“My son could confess on television tonight, and by morning ten experts would explain why he had been coerced.”
Harrison stepped closer.
“You knew about the recording?”
“I have it.”
“Give it to me.”
Evelyn sighed.
“Harrison, you are still thinking about yourself.”
“You said you were protecting the family.”
“I’m protecting what survives the family.”
He finally understood.
“You’re cutting me loose.”
“If necessary.”
His face went white.
Elena watched the crack between them widen.
Good.
She pushed.
“She thinks you’re weak.”
Harrison looked at her.
Elena continued.
“She has the recording because she never trusted you.”
“Shut up.”
“She expected you to fail.”
“Shut up.”
Evelyn laughed.
That was the mistake.
Harrison turned on his mother.
“You think this is funny?”
“I think it’s predictable.”
“I protected you.”
“You worked for me.”
“I’m a federal judge!”
“And yet here you are, shouting in an empty church because a wounded accountant hurt your feelings.”
Harrison slapped her.
Everyone froze.
Evelyn slowly touched her cheek.
Then one of her armed men raised his pistol.
Harrison looked shocked.
“Mother.”
Evelyn’s eyes were dead now.
“I warned you about rage.”
Outside, Brooks saw movement through stained glass.
“Now.”
Price led the entry team toward the side door.
Inside, Elena lunged for a wooden candle stand and swung it into the nearest gunman.
The pistol fired into the ceiling.
Harrison tackled the second man.
Evelyn screamed.
Elena ran.
Her ankle nearly collapsed beneath her.
She reached the church aisle.
Gunfire erupted behind her.
“Police!” Price shouted. “Drop your weapons!”
One gunman obeyed.
The other fired.
Price returned two shots.
The man fell.
Harrison crawled behind a pew.
Evelyn stood completely still in the center aisle, staring at Elena.
Brooks rushed in.
“Hands where I can see them!”
Evelyn raised them.
Slowly.
Almost gracefully.
“You have nothing,” she said.
Brooks smiled.
“We heard plenty before you killed the wire.”
“No warrant.”
“Exigent circumstances.”
“My attorneys will enjoy you.”
Then Harrison stood.
Blood covered his sleeve.
He looked at his mother.
At Elena.
At the police.
And made a choice.
“She has the ledger.”
Evelyn’s head snapped toward him.
Harrison pointed at her.
“My mother kept the real accounts.”
“You idiot,” Evelyn whispered.
Harrison smiled bitterly.
“You were right.”
Sirens surrounded the church.
“I finally learned to protect myself.”
Evelyn stared at her son.
Then she began laughing.
“You think the ledger can save you?”
Harrison’s smile faded.
May you like
Evelyn looked directly at Elena.
“The woman who has it will be dead before sunrise.”
