Chapter 12: The Last Drive

The so-called master drive did not contain only evidence.

It held the encryption key to the experimental therapy database.

Without it, federal investigators could not identify every victim.

Julian wanted it destroyed.

Michael and Laura designed a false drive.

Sarah insisted on accompanying them.

“You’ve risked enough,” Michael said.

“This started with my family.”

“It is our family now.”

The words stopped both of them.

Emily, standing nearby, looked between them.

“Does that mean we’re staying together?”

Michael knelt.

“It means no one is leaving you.”

At the airfield, Julian waited near a jet.

He held a tablet connected to the hospital network.

“Show me the drive.”

Michael raised it.

“Release the virus.”

Julian smiled.

“After I confirm the files.”

Sarah stepped forward.

“You lost, Julian.”

“I lost a company. You lost eight years. Which of us suffered more?”

“You killed our father.”

“He was weak.”

“You imprisoned me.”

“You were inconvenient.”

Sarah’s face changed.

For years, fear had controlled her.

Now it was gone.

“You were always afraid of Emily.”

Julian’s smile faded.

“Of a child?”

“Of proof that something good survived everything you did.”

Michael tossed the drive onto the pavement.

Julian bent to pick it up.

Laura’s sniper had a clear shot.

But before she could act, Victoria appeared behind Michael with a knife.

She had escaped custody during transport with help from a corrupt deputy.

She pressed the blade against Michael’s throat.

“Everyone lowers their weapons.”

Julian looked shocked.

“Mother?”

Victoria’s eyes remained on Sarah.

“You ruined everything.”

Sarah stepped forward.

“No. You did.”

Victoria tightened her grip.

Michael looked at Julian.

“You know she will sacrifice you next.”

Julian hesitated.

Victoria shouted, “Do not listen to him.”

Michael continued.

“She already let you take every risk. Every murder leads back to you.”

Julian’s face changed as the truth landed.

Sarah saw it.

“She never loved you. She built you to take the blame.”

Victoria drove the knife closer.

“Silence!”

Julian raised his gun.

Not at Michael.

At Victoria.

“You said we were partners.”

Victoria stared at him.

“You were useful.”

Julian’s hand trembled.

Then the hospital tablet sounded an alert.

The virus had activated automatically.

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The hospital systems began shutting down.

Including the machines keeping Thomas alive.