Chapter 9: The Factory
Evelyn had hidden the original will inside Miriam’s grave.
Not underground.
Inside the stone base of the headstone, behind a removable bronze plaque.
“Miriam gave it to me the week before she died,” Evelyn explained. “She said Richard would destroy it if he found it.”
Daniel stared at her.
“You kept this secret for twelve years?”
“I was seventeen. Richard had already taken my mother from me once.”
Sarah looked at the document.
Miriam had divided her estate between Sarah and Evelyn.
Sarah would receive controlling interest in Whitmore Industries.
Evelyn would receive a trust funded by the company.
Jason received nothing.
Richard lost all voting authority.
A handwritten letter was attached.
My daughters,
If you are reading this, I failed to escape safely.
Do not let Richard convince you that cruelty is strength.
Do not let Jason inherit the power that destroyed him.
Find each other.
Protect each other.
And end what I was too afraid to end.
Sarah pressed the letter against her chest.
For the first time since her mother’s death, she felt as though Miriam was speaking directly to her.
The police created a plan.
Sarah would appear to arrive alone at the abandoned factory.
Officers would surround the building.
Daniel strongly objected.
“You just gave birth.”
“I’m not going inside.”
“You shouldn’t be leaving the hospital.”
“Rosa may die because she protected my mother.”
At 11:58 p.m., an unmarked vehicle stopped near the factory.
Sarah wore a concealed microphone.
Evelyn carried a decoy envelope.
Bennett positioned tactical officers around the building.
A light flickered on inside.
Martin Hale appeared at the loading entrance.
“Sarah comes alone.”
Evelyn stepped from the shadows.
“You get me instead.”
Martin raised a gun.
“Wrong answer.”
Two men dragged Rosa into view.
Her hands were tied.
Jason emerged behind them.
He looked exhausted, unshaven and wild-eyed.
“Where is the will?”
Evelyn held up the envelope.
“Release Rosa.”
Jason laughed.
“You really think you’re part of this family?”
“No,” Evelyn replied. “That’s the first thing I like about myself.”
Martin pressed the gun against Rosa’s side.
“Give us the document.”
Evelyn moved forward.
Police prepared to intervene.
Then the factory doors slammed shut behind her.
The lights went out.
Gunfire exploded in the darkness.
Sarah screamed Evelyn’s name.
Daniel pulled her behind the car.
Officers stormed the building.
When emergency lights finally illuminated the factory floor, Martin Hale lay wounded beside a broken window.
Jason was gone.
Evelyn was unharmed.
But Rosa was no longer tied to the chair.
She stood over Martin holding his gun.
Everyone froze.
Rosa looked at Detective Bennett.
“I’m sorry.”
Then she pointed the weapon toward Sarah.
“Put the will on the ground.”
Sarah stared at her.
May you like
Rosa had not been kidnapped.
She had helped plan everything.
