Chapter 13 - FORTY FLOORS
Daniel entered the abandoned headquarters wearing a wire.
No police beside him.
No Emily.
No Sophie.
At least that was the agreement.
The elevator didn’t work.
He climbed forty floors.
By the time he reached the roof access, his shirt was soaked with sweat.
He opened the door.
Wind hit him.
Margaret sat tied to a chair near the center of the roof.
Ethan sat several feet away, his injured shoulder wrapped badly.
Raymond Pike stood near the edge.
Gun in hand.
“Daniel Mercer.”
Daniel raised his hands.
“Let them go.”
Pike smiled.
“You brought the codes?”
“In my pocket.”
“Take them out slowly.”
Daniel produced a folded copy.
Pike frowned.
“Copy?”
“The originals are already with federal investigators.”
Pike’s smile disappeared.
Daniel watched his eyes.
“You’re finished.”
Pike pointed the gun at Margaret.
“Then so is she.”
Margaret began crying.
“Daniel, leave.”
Pike shouted:
“Quiet!”
Ethan looked weak.
“Daniel.”
“What?”
“I’m sorry.”
Daniel stared at him.
Ethan laughed painfully.
“I know.”
“Too late.”
“Yes.”
Pike stepped closer.
“I don’t care about family therapy.”
“Give me the access codes.”
Daniel held out the paper.
Pike moved toward him.
A helicopter passed in the distance.
Pike glanced upward.
That second was enough.
Ethan kicked Pike’s knee.
Pike fired.
Margaret screamed.
Daniel tackled Pike.
The gun slid across the roof.
They hit the concrete hard.
Pike punched Daniel.
Daniel drove him backward.
Ethan crawled toward the gun.
Pike saw him and kicked Daniel away.
He ran for it.
Margaret suddenly hooked one foot around the chair leg and threw herself sideways.
The chair crashed into Pike’s legs.
He fell.
Daniel jumped on him.
Police burst through the roof door.
“DON’T MOVE!”
Pike reached toward the gun.
Aaron kicked it away.
Seconds later, Pike was handcuffed.
Margaret sobbed.
Daniel untied her.
She grabbed him.
“I’m sorry.”
Daniel didn’t hug her back.
Not yet.
He looked at Ethan.
His brother sat against the wall.
Blood was spreading through the bandage.
Daniel crouched.
“You need a hospital.”
Ethan nodded.
Then he reached into his jacket.
Aaron tensed.
Ethan slowly removed a small black flash drive.
“What’s that?”
Ethan handed it to Daniel.
“Insurance.”
“Against Dad.”
“What’s on it?”
“Everything.”
“Payments.”
“Fake death documents.”
“Dr. Hale.”
Daniel stared.
“What about Dr. Hale?”
Ethan started crying.
“I didn’t kill him.”
“But I know who did.”
Daniel waited.
Ethan looked toward Margaret.
Margaret’s face changed.
“No.”
Daniel followed his gaze.
“Mom?”
Margaret backed away.
Ethan whispered:
“She started the fire.”
Daniel stared at his mother.
Margaret said nothing.
May you like
And silence was enough.
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